I
I
I
CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
December 12, 2022 - 3:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
The special meeting was convened and held virtually by videoconference/teleconference.
OPENING:
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
Council Minutes
Mayor Gordo called the organizational meeting to order at 3:40 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Wilson. (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Andy Wilson
Councilmember Tyron Hampton (Arrived at 4: 18 p.m.)
Councilmember Justin Jones
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Councilmember Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Felicia Williams
City Manager Miguel Marquez
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION ACCEPTING THE
"CERTIFICATE OF THE CANVASS OF THE ELECTION
RETURNS" AS PREPARED AND CERTIFIED BY THE LOS
ANGELES COUNTY REGISTRAR-RECORDER/COUNTY
CLERK FOR THE PASADENA GENERAL MUNICIPAL
ELECTION CONSOLI DA TED WITH THE NOVEMBER 8, 2022,
STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed action is not a project subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) as defined in Section 21065 and Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines and, as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required for the project; and
(2) Adopt a resolution accepting the "Certificate of the Canvass of the Election Returns" (Exhibit A to the resolution) as prepared and certified by the Los Angeles County Registrar
Recorder/County Clerk for the Pasadena General Municipal Election, consolidated with the Statewide General Election held on November 8, 2022 resulting in the passage of Measure L and Measure H amending the Pasadena City Charter. (Resolution No. 9970)
1 12/12/2022
I
I
I
Council Minutes
· Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, provided a recap of the June 7, 2022 Primary Nominating Election results, reporting on the following persons as re-elected and elected to Office:
John J. Kennedy, having received 58.9% of the total votes cast for the Office of Member of the City Council from District 3, was declared to be re-elected to that office.
Jess Rivas, having received 97 .6% of the total votes cast for the office of member of the City Council from District 5, was declared to be elected to that office.
Jason Lyon, having received 51.6% of the total votes cast for the office of member of the City Council from District 7, was declared to be elected to that office.
He stated that on July 11, 2022, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 9928, accepting the Certified Election Results reported by the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk, as stated. As a result of Councilmember Kennedy's sad and unfortunate passing on July 21, 2022, the District 3 seat will become vacant at the time the City Council adjourns sine die and the new term for that seat begins.
City Clerk Jomsky reported on the General Municipal Election: On November 8, 2022, the City held an election for Measure L (the Library Special Tax Measure), and Measure H (the Pasadena Charter Amendment Initiative Petition Measure Imposing Rent Control).
Measure L received 40,000 YES votes and 7,280 NO votes, with the YES votes receiving 84.6%. To be approved,
Measure L required a two-thirds majority of the votes cast to be in favor and pass, and is therefore deemed approved by the voters.
Measure H received 25,029 yes votes and 21,493 no votes, with the yes votes receiving 53.8%. To be approved,
Measure H required a 50%+1 majority of the votes cast to be in favor and pass, and is therefore deemed approved by the voters.
With 48,852 ballots cast, and 88,291 registered voters in Pasadena, the voter turnout for the November 8, 2022 General Election in Pasadena was 55.3%
2 12/12/2022
I
I
I
PRESENTATIONS/
STATEMENTS
Council Minutes
The following individuals provided comments on the passing of Measure H, spoke on the provisions of the measure, and urged the City Council to inform tenants of their rights; and expressed appreciation to everyone who advocated for Measure H:
Jane Panangaden, Pasadena resident
Ashay Patel, Pasadena resident
Aeryn Levey, Pasadena resident
It was moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Vice Mayor Wilson, to approve the staff recommendation:
AYES:
NOES:
Councilmembers Jones, Madison, Masuda,
Williams, Vice Mayor Wilson, Mayor Gordo
None
Rivas,
ABSENT: Councilmember Hampton
None ABSTAIN:
RECOGNIZE OUTGOING COUNCILMEMBERS/STA TEMENTS
Senator Anthony J. Portantino; Mayor Gordo on behalf of Assemblymember Chris Holden; Jens Weiden, Chief Executive Officer of the Rose Bowl; City Manager Miguel Marquez
representing Executive Management staff; Mayor Gordo
representing the City Council; all expressed praise and gratitude to Vice Mayor Wilson for his many years of dedicated service on the City Council, and submitted certificates of recognition and appreciation for his contributions to the City and District 7 residents.
Margret McAustin, former Councilmember/Pasadena
resident, spoke in appreciation and recognition of Vice Mayor Wilson for his years of service on the City Council.
Misch Anderson, representing the Pasadena Complete
Streets Coalition, spoke on the work of Vice Mayor Wilson in organizing district walks for Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition annual event, participating in walks to school days at McKinley Elementary School, his support for the creation of the Union Street Protected Bike Lane, his work with DOT to get new crosswalks at key streets. In honor of these accomplishments, Ms. Anderson, on behalf of the
Complete Streets Coalition, presented Vice Mayor with the first-ever Golden Shoelaces Award.
Vice Mayor Wilson expressed his thanks and appreciation to Margaret McAustin, Misch Anderson and all the Complete Streets advocates and members.
3 12/12/2022
I
I
I
ADJOURN OUTGOING
COUNCIL - SINE DIE
RECONVENED
The City Council expressed appreciation and gratitude to Vice Mayor Wilson.
Vice Mayor Wilson stated that it has been an honor and privilege to serve the wonderful residents of Pasadena, thanked the professional staff, his Council colleagues, and residents of the City for their heartfelt words, certificates and tokens/gifts of appreciation.
Vice Mayor Wilson also acknowl~dged Pam Thyret, District Liaison for District 7, for her dedication and expressed his appreciation for her many years of service to the community.
Mayor Gordo recognized Councilmember Justin Jones for his service in answering the call to represent District 3 when the City tragically lost Councilmember John Kennedy.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Wilson, seconded by Councilmember Jones, to adjourn this City Council sine die:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Madison, Masuda,
Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Wilson, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Clerk Jomsky administered the oaths of office to
Councilmembers Rivas and Lyon.
Mayor Gordo reconvened the meeting at 5:09 p.m.
ELECTION OF VICE MAYOR Mayor Gordo recognized the John Muir High School football team for their tremendous work at the State Championship game and acknowledged all those who supported the team.
Council Minutes
Mayor Gordo provided comments on the District 3 vacancy created by the passing of Honorable Councilmember John Kennedy, briefly commented on Mr. Kennedy's service and contributions to the City; and reminded the community that a special meeting will be held on December 15, 2022 to fill the vacancy created by the passing of the late Councilmember Kennedy.
Councilmembers Hampton and Madison echoed the comments of Mayor Gordo related to John Muir High School football team making it to the State Championship.
The Mayor opened the floor for nominations for a new Vice Mayor. 4 12/12/2022
I
I
I
Council Minutes
Councilmember Madison stated that the passing of Mr. Kennedy has brought to light some factors related to the City Charter and Municipal Code that that have caused him to consider the role of the Vice Mayor. He read City Charter Section 407. - THE VICE MAYOR, which states "At its organizational meeting, the City Council shall elect from among the Councilmembers a Vice Mayor who shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Mayor during the latter's absence or disability." And Section 2.05.050 - Vice Mayor, which states, "The vice mayor, in the absence of the mayor or his inability to act, shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the mayor." Councilmember Madison requested that the City Clerk look at the role of the Vice Mayor as part of the upcoming Charter reform effort. He also spoke on the City Council's tradition and history of electing the next senior Councilmember that has not yet served as vice mayor, and as far as he could tell in the City's history, there has not been a Vice Mayor elected to serve with less than four years on the City Council. He also noted that with the City's change to coincide with statewide election dates, there is now only one organizational meeting every two years to elect a Vice Mayor, which is another aspect that should be examined as part of Charter reform.
Councilmember Madison acknowledged that while it may be self serving, he also noted that if one serves for a long time on the City Council, there should be an opportunity to serve as Vice Mayor again, pointing out that the current practice is essentially as a de facto ban.
Councilmember Masuda thanked Councilmember Madison and
Mayor Gordo for providing comments on the City Charter and bringing it to his attention that there is no provision in the City Charter that requires a Vice Mayor to serve a minimum of one full term before being elected in that capacity and stated that he would struggle with someone being nominated that has not served at least one full term.
Councilmember Hampton stated that he agrees with the comments made; spoke on the passing of their dear friend and colleague Mr.
Kennedy that brough the details of the City Charter to the forefront, stating he is in support of having significant conversation around Charter reform, but at this time, feels that the City has a process in place to follow, and as such, nominated Councilmember Williams to serve as Vice Mayor.
Mayor Gordo stated that as the discussion surrounding Charter reform continues and develops, he feels it would be appropriate for the City to consider some balance in the position of Vice Mayor; and stated that he feels tonight there is an opportunity to make the residents proud and give them the confidence that their City 5 12/12/2022
I
I
I
Council Minutes
Council works together and seeks to do the right thing for the right reasons. He suggested that Council recognize Councilmember Williams consistent with the motion as being very qualified, consistent with the motion made by Councilmember Hampton, and also recognize Councilmember Madison who has served the City well and with distinction for decades. He stating that it is his understanding that nothing prevents the City Council from complying with the Charter by appointing Councilmember Madison for the first year and Councilmember Williams for the second year.
Councilmember William's made a motion to elect Councilmember Madison to serve as Vice Mayor from December 2022 to
December 2023.
Councilmember Madison requested that the order of the elected Vice Mayor be switched to have Councilmember Williams serve the first year, noting he preferred serving the second year as Vice Mayor, so that it would coincide with the end of his term.
Councilmember Rivas expressed her support to strike a balance and nominate Councilmember Williams and Councilmember
Madison to each serve one year, while the City looks at the issues of the City Charter raised by Councilmember Madison.
Following discussion, the City Clerk stated that he intends to bring forward a discussion on charter reform at the end of January or beginning of February 2023 and suggested the need for task force of community members to help vet through all the issues raised.
He briefly spoke on the timeline and process for the 2024 General Election, while stating the information will be spelled out in more detail when the item is agendized for further discussion in January/February 2023.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to nominate Felicia Williams as Vice Mayor, for a term beginning December 12, 2022 and expiring on December 11, 2023 and Steve Madison as Vice Mayor, for a term beginning December 11, 2023 and expiring December 9, 2024. There being no further nominations, the Mayor declared the nominations closed, and directed the City Clerk to conduct a roll call vote, as follows:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Lyon, Madison, Masuda,
Rivas, Williams, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
6 12/12/2022
I
I
I
STATEMENTS/CONCLUDIN
G REMARKS
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
City
Council Minutes
The Mayor recognized Felicia Williams as the new Vice Mayor and Councilmember Madison as the Vice Mayor-elect, and introduced the newly constituted Pasadena City Council.
Vice Mayor Williams expressed appreciation and thanks to her colleagues on the City Council for this opportunity and stated she looks forward to serving the people in this capacity; and acknowledge the opportunity the new Councilmembers will have to serve as Vice Mayor.
Councilmember Madison expressed his appreciation and thanks for being elected to serve as Vice Mayor and expressed that the City is very fortunate to have such a dedicated City Council and looks forward to the bright future ahead; and congratulated Councilmembers Rivas and Lyon.
Mayor Gordo added that this is the most diverse City Council in the history of the City of Pasadena, and acknowledged the unique perspective and commitment that each member brings to the Council. He welcomed Councilmember Lyon and congratulated Councilmember Rivas on her re-election, and thanked the City staff for all their support and dedication.
Councilmember Hampton welcomed Councilmember Lyon and
congratulated Councilmember Rivas on receiving almost 100% of the votes; expressed his excitement to be part of a diverse Council and feels it is very promising where the City and the community as a whole is heading.
Vice Mayor Williams stated that she is very happy and proud to be here at this moment where the youth in the City can see everything on the City Council for the first time in history; stating that the City has a great Council that will work well together.
Councilmember Masuda congratulated Councilmember Rivas and Councilmember Lyon.
Following discussion, on order of the Mayor, the special meeting of the Cit Council adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
Vic r M. Gordo, Mayor
City of Pasadena
7 12/12/2022