CITY OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
2023 Federal Legislative Platform
Attachment A
Guiding Principles
1.) Preserve and Enhance Federal Assistance to Local Governments: Declining federal funding for important domestic discretionary programs has severely limited the ability of the City to meet the needs of our most underserved citizens. Continued reductions would do little to reduce the federal deficit, but the effects on Pasadena families would be devastating.
2.) Oppose Federal Preemption of Local Authority: Pasadena opposes federal efforts to curb the ability of local governments to address matters traditionally handled on the local level - such as the imposition of taxes and fees, enforcement of zoning and land use regulations, or the ability to ensure the safety of our residents.
State Route 710 Northern Stub Relinquishment:
Through the City's collaborative multi-year effort with Caltrans, the California Transportation Commission approved the relinquishment of the State Route 710 Northern Stub transportation network in June 2022 and transferred ownership of the 60-acre area to the City in August 2022. Going forward, the City will work with community stakeholders to identify future land uses and to define the local street network. The City is supportive federal and state funding for this project, which will include restoration efforts in line with the City's Complete Streets Policy, provisions for local mobility, neighborhood connectivity, and opportunities for development in line with the City's General Plan Guiding Principles.
For more information about City positions on this topic please contact the City Manager's Office: (626) 744-4333.
Pandemic Response
Direct and timely federal aid is the only way communities such as Pasadena are able to respond to a global pandemic such as COVID-19 and maintain continuity for vital services in areas such as public health, public safety, utility services, and outreach to the City's most vulnerable residents. The City is supportive of proposals to increase the federal cost share for the FEMA Public Assistance program to 100% for actions taken in relation to a pandemic. In addition, the City supports legislation and federal actions that would provide:
1) Direct fiscal assistance to local governments of all population sizes to address the catastrophic loss of revenue resulting from a global pandemic and similar natural disasters;
2) Direct fiscal assistance to local health jurisdictions to support 1.) expanded epidemiological functions such as case investigation, contact tracing, testing, and vaccine distribution, and 2) services that support family and child physical and mental health and wellness harmed by a pandemic, including access to food and housing, access to primary and preventive care services, and safety; and 3) Direct fiscal assistance to publicly owned utilities to credit delinquent utility bills for their customers.
1 For more infonnation about City positions on this topic, please contact:
Finance Department: (626) 744-4355
Public Health Department: (626) 744-6000
Housing Department: (626) 744-8300
Water and Power Department: (626) 744-440
Early Childhood Education
Improved access to high-quality, early childhood education, including pre-school, will help develop meaningful early learning solutions that support young children and their families. It is vital for early child education programs to have consistent, well-funded and diverse resources at the federal, state and local level. The City is supportive of legislation and funding to improve access to early learning and care so that young children, especially those from low- and middle-income families, can flourish during this critical childhood developmental period.
For more infonnation about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Manager's Office: (626) 744-4333
Housing Department: (626) 744-8300
Library Department: (626) 744-4066
Parks, Recreation and Community Services: (626) 744-4386 Public Health Department: Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Program: (800) 304-0015 Finance
The City is concerned that the federal government has attempted to impose itself into the area of local taxation, a matter traditionally handled on the local level. Pasadena officials are better suited than the federal government to understand community needs, and should have all the tools necessary to ensure the safety and health of the public while properly maintaining the public's largest investment, its infrastructure.
The City supports:
Legislation to restore the tax break for advanced refunding bonds. Strongly opposes any effort to eliminate, or cap, the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds (including private activity bonds), one of the few tools left for local governments to finance large capital projects.
Protection of federal Build America Bonds rebates from budget sequestration or any other proposed cuts to previously issued direct pay bonds. •
The City opposes:
Legislative proposals to impose limits on governmental deferred compensation plans.• Attempts to exempt online travel companies from collecting state and local bed taxes when they re-sell hotel rooms to consumers shopping at their internet sites.
Federal efforts to erode local authority by prohibiting state and local taxes and fees in areas such as wireless services, video services (including but not limited to, internet 2023 Federal Legislative Platform2
protocol ("IPP") enabled, streaming, and over-the-top services), and the sale of digital goods.
Mandatory participation in Social Security for local government employees covered by other retirement and/or pension systems.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Finance Department at (626) 744-4355.
Utilities
The City of Pasadena, through its Department of Water and Power ("PWP"), operates its own municipal utility and as a result, is subject to federal programs and oversight in a number of areas. As a provider of electricity, the City has set ambitious goals with regard to the use of renewable energy. In addition, the City Council declared a climate emergency on January 30, 2023, and set a goal to source 100% of Pasadena's electricity from carbon free sources by 2030.
While federal resources that help us achieve these goals are encouraged, unfunded federal mandates in this area will likely hinder our efforts by forcing us to focus resources in ways that may not be in the best interest of our customers.
As a provider of water, the City is committed to providing safe drinking water to its customers and supports federal efforts to impose standards that are based on sound scientific principles and protocols.
The City Supports:
A swift decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that perchlorate contamination in the City's Sunset Reservoir drinking water wells initiated from the current NASA/JPL Superfund site.
Increased federal investments in utility infrastructure projects such as water supply and distribution pipeline replacement and upgrades, non-potable water, water quality treatment, stormwater management, energy storage, electric vehicle charging, power plant emissions retrofits, smart grid implementation, replacement of inefficient generators, and constmction of transmission lines to access renewable energy generation.
Federal initiatives that avoid duplicative climate policies and are designed to lower greenhouse gas emissions, while urging consideration of technical feasibility, costs to ratepayers, as well as the time that it will take utilities to come into compliance with proposed initiatives.
Federal initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector through increased incentives for electric vehicles and funding for associated infrastructure.
Federal initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from commercial and residential buildings through incentives and policies that support building electrification.
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Federal incentives for renewable energy, such as the Clean Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) program.
Modifications to FERC transmission rate incentive policies that take into account the additional costs to ratepayers.
Hydro power reform legislation and funding to facilitate development of new hydro projects, particularly small and in-conduit hydropower development, as well as promoting more efficient hydropower re-licensing process.
Federal efforts to encourage, but not mandate, increased energy and water-use efficiency as well as federal assistance to encourage or meet operational improvements within the City.
Changes to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Iimovation Act (WIFIA) program to provide assistance toward 100% of the cost of a project. In addition, the City is supportive of the WIFIA program for local and regional water supply projects that help protect against drought related shortages or supply intermptions.
Federal resources to address severe western drought conditions, including increased funding for non-potable water infrastructure and storage.
The City's non-potable water projects, which will enhance local water supply reliability and provide approximately 10 percent of the City's water demand by delivering non- potable water for landscape irrigation and industrial uses in the future.
The Arroyo Seco Canyon Project, which came about after events related to the 2009 Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest caused significant damage to PWP's water diversion facilities in the Arroyo Seco Canyon area. Repairs and upgrades to the stream intake structure and spreading basins are needed to allow capturing of stormwater run- off from nearby mountains that will filter into the aquifer and can be accessed during the summer months. Ultimately, this project will restore Pasadena's ability to utilize its long-standing surface water rights. It is anticipated the improvements will result in an average increase in recharge to the groundwater basin of about 1,000 acre-feet per year.
Pumping this local groundwater, rather than purchasing imported water will help reduce imported water costs and other environmental impacts associated with imported water. The project will revitalize a portion of the Arroyo Seco stream, improve ecosystem health, and enhance the experience for recreational users.
EPA's role to address constituents of concern for drinking water through reasonable protocols and sound, science-based standards.
Federal efforts to address legacy contamination issues such as Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and other chemicals, which may have been released into the environment resulting from national defense initiatives.
Federal and state funding to improve California's headwaters, which provide flow to surface and groundwater supplies, and are critical to sustain local watersheds. Funding to implement local strategies will help create more resilient forests, improve wildfire mitigation, and help provide communities with clean, reliable water.
Aimual appropriations for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) at the Department of Energy at least at the FY 2022 level of $550 million. 2023 Federal Legislative Platform4
Pasadena has several energy efficiency initiatives that would benefit from the flexible funding that EECBG provides.
The City Opposes:
Efforts to change the cost-based rates used by federal Power Marketing Administrations ("PMA"). Such changes would significantly increase costs for Pasadena, which entered into a 50-year contract with the Western Area PMA for hydroelectric power from the Hoover Dam.
• Efforts that would allow multiple federal agencies to have regulatory authority over cyber security efforts related to the power system. The public-private partnership agreement between industry and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), to implement mandatory cyber security standards should be preserved. Support bipartisan cyber- security and information sharing legislation. Support a risk-based approach to prioritizing assets that require protection and oppose mandatory compliance with "one size fits all" security regulations that circumvent local control of City assets.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Water and Power Department at (626) 744-4409.
Public Safety
Federal assistance for local police, fire, and homeland security initiatives has been declining for several years, and as a result, communities like Pasadena have been left to maintain public safety services largely on their own. The City believes there is a place for federal contributions to local public safety and homeland security efforts.
The City Supports:
• Increased federal resources for law enforcement recruiting efforts, training particularly, as it relates to de-escalation and proportional use offeree, and maintenance of body-worn camera programs.
Non-traditional crime prevention activities such as federal homeless assistance, mental health programs, and substance abuse initiatives. The City supports increased federal resources for these efforts to increase awareness, public education, and training opportunities as well as grant programs that provide direct funding to cities to implement local strategies.
Legislation and funding to reduce and prevent gun violence, crimes, drug use, and gang violence, and to promote public outreach and intervention programs that specifically divert juveniles from the criminal justice system.
Providing local jurisdictions with federal funding to support the themes from the Pillars of 21st Century Policing.
Encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration to develop clear rules and regulations governing the use of drones and other unmanned aircraft systems in communities.
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Ongoing procurement of high technology that helps mitigate dangerous situations, locate and arrest offenders, gather evidence, solve crimes, and protect public safety entities on the frontlines.
Proving resources for prisoner re-integration and restorative justice programs, prevention of human trafficking, development of additional diversion programs, and at-risk youth programs. In addition, the City supports legislation and resources to reduce recidivism, help rehabilitate recidivist offenders and expand funding for these efforts.
Federal programs such as SAFER (firefighter hiring), COPS (police hiring), Violence Against Women Act programs, gang intervention programs, Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. Urban Area Security Initiative, and State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Emergency management training as well as equipment and technology purchases necessary for day-to-day operations, disaster planning and operation of a fully capable Emergency Operations Center.
Creating a voluntary federal patient registry to collect data on the incidence of cancer among firefighters.
Seismic upgrades and other urgent upgrades to seven of the eight City fire stations.
Increased funding for early warning earthquake systems.
Increased federal reimbursement rates for ambulance services and emergency medical services (EMS), and additional funding for Mobile Integrated Health Programs.
Increased federal reimbursement for wildfire fighting activities.
Efforts to change current FEMA disaster assistance reimbursement formulas that penalize small communities in large population states; develop a reward system for communities that implement successful pre-disaster mitigation.
The City Opposes:
Efforts to preempt local regulation of drone use in communities.
Efforts to deny federal funding to communities that may not have the resources to enforce all federal immigration laws.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
• City Prosecutor's Office: (626) 744-4141
• Finance Department: (626) 744-4355
Fire Department: (626) 744-4655
Police Department: (626) 744-4501
Transportation
The City urges Congress to craft a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes the necessary resources to meet the urgent need of our multi-modal transportation system. Maintaining and improving the City's transportation infrastructure is one of the highest priorities of Pasadena residents. Transportation projects in in need of federal 2023 Federal Legislative Platform6
assistance in Pasadena that are partially or completely unfunded at this time are included below.
The City supports resources for:
Repair of the Holly Street and San Rafael: Bridges that span the Arroyo Seco. They are believed to be among the most vulnerable in the state. Additionally, the City is supportive of resources to equip Pasadena bridges with suicide prevention barriers and other deterrent measures.
Construction of a dedicated transit maintenance and operations facility to house and repair the growing fleet of Pasadena Transit buses as well as opportunities to apply for state or federal grant funding in order to maintain, at a minimum, the current fleet size in a state of good repair.
Additional federal resources, including tax credits, to assist the City in purchasing zero- emission buses and converting its existing fleets and other equipment to electric power, as well as charging infrastructure.
Efforts of the Southern San Fernando Valley Airport Noise Task Force to convince the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consider changes to recent alternations to aircraft flight paths at Burbank and Van Nuys Airports that have had adverse noise impacts on several neighborhoods in the region.
Efforts of the Burbank Airport Authority to secure FAA funds for terminal replacement.
Technology for the City's Intelligent Transportation System program.
Completion of the Foothill Extension of the Metro Gold Line Light Rail System from Azusa to Montclair.
Pasadena Transit is one of the largest locally funded fixed route transit systems in Los Angeles County. This bus system connects 1.6 million annual trips to the regional transit network and is an essential transportation option allowing Pasadena to achieve its mobility goal of being a city where people can circulate without a car. As a locally funded transit agency in Los Angeles County, Pasadena is precluded by state statute from directly receiving most state and federal transit funds. The options for access to state and federal funding, either formula or grant based, are extremely limited and the few that are available are met with significant competition.
An increase in the opportunities to apply for federal grant funding is needed in order to maintain, at a minimum, the current fleet size in a state of good repair. Critical to maintaining a state of good repair is a dedicated transit maintenance and operations facility, which Pasadena currently lacks.
Funding opportunities to transition former highway corridors to neighborhood boulevards.
Use of The "Safe System Approach" to reduce collisions resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. It does so through a holistic view of the road system that helps anticipate human mistakes and minimizes the harm caused to those involved when crashes occur.
The City believes speed limits should be established at the local level based on knowledge of roadway segments, local context, goals, engineering judgment, and the 2023 Federal Legislative Platform7
Safe System Approach principles. This includes funding to support technologies, strategies and policies that advance local road safety.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Transportation Department at (626) 744-7664.
Housing
Federal and state assistance to the City of Pasadena for the production of new affordable housing has vacillated significantly over the past decade, presenting difficult challenges as the City looks for ways to serve almost 15,000 very low-income households on its Section 8 voucher waiting list. In addition, limited funding in programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs have hindered the City's ability to provide services to low-income neighborhoods and neighbors who are experiencing homelessness.
As the federal government looks to reduce the federal deficit, the City urges policymakers to recognize that programs such as these have already suffered debilitating cuts and further reductions will have little effect on the deficit. Further cuts, through the aimual appropriations process or budget sequestration, are likely to result in the denial of Section 8 renewals, the closing of trusted community non-profit service providers, and other important pieces of the social safety net in the community. Specific actions in this area include:
The City Supports:
Expansion of federal assistance to address the many issues related to homelessness in communities across the country.
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Increased funding for HUD programs such as Section 8 assisted housing, CDBG, Section 108 loan program, and HOME.
Protection of the federal Affordable Housing Tmst Fund. • Programs that provide supportive services and housing services to seniors and disabled residents.
Enhancement of tax incentives that will promote affordable housing construction, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and New Markets Tax Credit.
The City opposes:
• Cuts to caps on use of HUD funds for administrative fees and oppose proposals to reduce administrative fees for housing assistance to non-income earning clients (this especially hurts programs for seniors and the disabled). • Proposals to prohibit the repayment ofHUD Section 108 loans with future CDBG allocations.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Housing Department at (626) 744-8300.
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Public Health
The City of Pasadena recognizes that many factors affect the health of the community, including changing population demographics, the built environment, healthcare services, and social determinants of health. As a result, the City utilizes a cross-departmental approach to address public health, one that promotes interdisciplinary programs such as:
youth violence prevention programs; outreach and linkage to services for people experiencing homelessness; affordable housing programs that also address mental health and substance use; and transportation improvements that support walkability and healthy food access. The nationally-accredited Pasadena Public Health Department provides core public health services and functions, and serves as a foundation for this collective impact approach to improve the health of populations within the City and across the region.
The City seeks federal assistance to support a collaborative interdisciplinary public health model with the Pasadena Public Health Department providing backbone support as a health strategy catalyst.
The City Supports:
Increased funding for federal programs that support public health such the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Act programs, community health centers, bioterrorism response, home visitation programs, immunizations. Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, chronic disease prevention programs, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition program.
Increased funding for tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment programs, in order to make progress toward the goal ofTB elimination.
Efforts to increase access to affordable health care coverage, and to increase the number of insured people.
Continued fimding for U.S. Centers for Disease Control programs for community health and related public health infrastructure, including workforce retention, workforce development, and information technology.
Increased funding to address the dramatic rise in STD rates, and protect funding for family planning programs that prevent the spread ofHIV and STDs.
Resources for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
To address health equity, support for legislation that protects the rights of diverse populations, the LGBTQ+ community, and of women (including reproductive rights), to support improved health outcomes.
To address social determinants of health, support for legislation that aims to identify and resolve the effects of institutional racism that drive health inequities in the population.
Violence prevention research and programs, including reducing the risk of gun violence in our community.
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Federal funding to local health department jurisdictions in support of preparedness, response, and recovery activities in the event of an infectious disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic, or natural and manmade disasters.
Local, City-based collective impact initiatives to improve outcomes for child health, wellness, and education. Specifically, support for funding to prevent or mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), reduce racial disparities in infant mortality and maternal perinatal outcomes, or improve the rates of kindergarten readiness among pre-school age children.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Public Health Department at (626) 744-6000.
Technology
The City supports legislative initiatives and funding to promote the use of data and technology to create efficiencies, promote economic development, enhance public safety, improve transportation and mobility, improve sustainability, enhance municipal quality of life factors, and help solve other civic challenges.
The City Supports:
Legislation regarding cybersecurity and information sharing reform, as well as federal resources to assist local government in meeting the challenges ofcybersecurity.
Federal efforts to encourage investment in expanding fiber optic technology to homes and local government input in the distribution of financial incentives to meet commimity-specific needs
Federal assistance for the Interagency Communication Interoperability (ICI), a regional effort to ensure communications interoperability. • Legislative initiatives and funding to advance economic and digital inclusion and equity for all constituents, including access to computers, high-speed internet, and similar technology; and to provide training in computer, cybersecurity, and technology skills.
Policies, legislation, and funding to increase the number of households and businesses which have access to low-cost or free high-speed and reliable Internet as well as low- cost or free quality, Internet-enabled technology devices and technical support. • Policies, legislation, and grants that treat Internet access as an eligible utility for federal housing vouchers and other subsidies.
•Policies, legislation and funding that ensure transparency, accountability and nondiscrimination of data, content, and algorithms.
The City Opposes:
Legislative and regulatory efforts to curb the ability of local governments to charge telecommunication providers fair and reasonable compensation for the use and maintenance of public rights-of-way.
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Federal intrusion into local permitting and zoning laws with respect to siting of telecommunications facilities.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Information Technology Department at (626) 744-4220.
Workforce Development
The Foothill Workforce Investment Board provides job training and job seeking services to residents of Pasadena and neighboring communities. Services are funded primarily through federal resources, but the City also provides local funding to a successful summer youth employment program. During the recent economic downturn, local employment and training programs were stretched thin, so federal support in this area is particularly critical in the effort to maintain and enhance a skilled workforce.
The City Supports:
Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that allows for continued flexibility and the primacy of the one-stop system as the presumed deliverer of employment and training services, as well as strong local participation and governance in the workforce investment board process.
Long-term federal investment in summer youth employment in WIOA reauthorization that would be linked to locally developed and supported summer jobs and internship efforts.
Increased federal investments in apprenticeship programs.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Manager's 0fficeat(626)744-4333.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
The City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department sponsors a variety of programs for some of the City's neediest neighborhoods and families. It also serves as the primary liaison to the Pasadena Unified School District. Working in tandem with other City departments, some important federal actions to support include increased resources for:
After-school and childcare programs.
Programs that improve recreational opportunities in the community, including those that recognize the impacts of strict water conservation measures on recreational facilities.
Parks, recreation, health, and fitness programs.
Gang-related initiatives and anti-bullying measures.
Capital improvements to aging parks and recreation facilities, as well as federal funding opportunities for facility operations and maintenance costs.
Measures that maintain and strengthen funding for workforce development initiatives that provide innovative work and school-based programs. 2023 Federal Legislative Platform11
Additionally, maintaining and enhancing the City's parks and recreational system is a high priority for Pasadena residents, and the City has committed significant resources to offering safe and accessible recreational opportunities. Although federal assistance in the areas of recreation, preservation, and conservation has declined sharply, the City believes there is a federal role for assisting local governments with these matters.
The City Supports:
Efforts to bring back the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program, where the City believes the small federal commitment provided great benefits to a number of communities across the country.
The National Park Service proposal to protect additional lands and habitats in the area by adding the "Rim of the Valley" corridor to the existing Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with the understanding that the proposal retains existing local land use and regulatory authorities, fire prevention policies, water rights, and utility infrastructure systems.
Federal funding and swift completion of the feasibility study for the Arroyo Seco Ecosystem Restoration Project, being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Additional federal resources for local tree planting initiatives.
Federal funding to combat climate change by providing funds for shade stmctures within City parks at parks to cover play equipment, bleachers and other park amenities For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the c Department at (626) 744-4386.
Library Services
In 2021, the City identified critical infrastmcture needs in Pasadena's historic Central Library. Given the importance of Central Library as a community hub the supports literacy, social welfare, and civic engagement, the City is supportive of federal funding for capital improvement projects that address life/safety issues in library buildings.
The City of Pasadena's Central Library and nine branch libraries provide services to more than 2,000 patrons per day, sponsoring an array of activities for both adults and children.
In recent years, it has been the focus of the department to enhance its information and technology services to better meet the needs of residents. Given the increasing importance of accessing the internet for library customers without the means to do so at home, the City is supportive of any efforts to expand high speed, high-capacity broadband funding.
The City Supports:
Full funding for the Library and Technology Act (LSTA) programs at the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Federal opportimities for "early learning" initiatives to assist and expand activities associated with the City's Office of the Young Child.
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Continued IMLS funding of National Leadership grants for Library and Recruitment for Librarians for the 21st Century, and early childhood literacy programs that involve partnerships between libraries, the local school district and other community-based agencies.
Continued funding of National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Increased funding for programs that provide and encourage training and outreach for those interested in a career in libraries.
Efforts that allow for increased flexibility with regard to copyright laws and increased access to electronic books and media.
Efforts to maintain net neutrality, open access, and intellectual freedom.
Funding for resources to protect and preserve America's historic libraries.
Funding for capital improvements for life/safety concerns.
Funding for public libraries serving people experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness.
Funding for libraries to provide programs and resources to those impacted by a pandemic such as those who have lost their jobs or are underemployed, those experiencing mental health issues, needing help with schoolwork, and those experiencing social isolation, etc.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Library department at (626) 744-4066.
Immigration
The City of Pasadena strongly believes that immigrants strengthen the community economically and culturally and welcomes their contributions to society. With regard to federal legislation aimed at refonning federal immigration laws, the City would urge Congress and the President to reaffirm, that addressing unlawful immigration in a compassionate manner is the primary responsibility of the federal government and that sufficient resources must be committed on the federal level for this purpose.
In a resolution adopted by the City Council in October 2013, the City of Pasadena hereby supports a humane and comprehensive immigration reform proposal with the following principles: provides an attainable and affordable pathway to full citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States; family unity as a cornerstone of our immigration system; provides due process and labor protections; allows access to key essential services such as health care; and local governments should not be mandated to enforce federal immigration laws, particularly when resources necessary to enforce local laws are already stretched. Though not a declared sanctuary city, Pasadena established a 2017 Citywide policy, which sets forth the City's commitment to the confidentiality of information gathered for municipal purposes. The policy explicitly limits collection or dissemination of information regarding a person's religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, and immigration status.
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The City supports federal legislation that would protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This protects children who were brought to this country at a young age and are pursuing education and the American dream.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Manager's office at (626) 744-4333.
Campaign Finance
In September 2013, the Pasadena City Council approved a resolution that that urges Congress to propose and support, and the state legislature to ratify, a Constitutional amendment to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that prohibits the government from restricting political independent expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions.
The resolution maintains that reversal of the decision would enable the people, through their elected representatives, to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures in all elections at the federal, state, and local levels and ensure that corporations are not entitled to the entirety of protections or "rights" of human beings, specifically so that the expenditure of corporate money to influence the electoral process is no longer a form of constitutionally protected speech.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Attorney's officeat(626)744-4141.
Environmental Stewardship
The global climate is changing, and ocean water levels are rising largely due to increases in levels of greenhouse gas emissions in the environment, which affects human health and economic well-being of our communities. The City has developed a variety of programs and policies to proactively reduce its carbon footprint.
The City seeks to increase its role in promoting environmental stewardship and urban sustainability through activities such as the endorsement of the United Nations Green Cities Declaration, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and the adoption of the Urban Environmental Accords Action Plan.
As demonstrated in other sections of the Federal Legislative Platform, "Utilities" (p. 3), "Transportation" (p. 6), "Parks, Recreation and Community Services" (p. 11) and "Solid Waste Resource Management" (p. 15), the City is committed to mitigating climate change, while balancing the needs of the Pasadena community. The City supports legislation that:
1) improves the availability of renewable energy; 2) increases energy efficiency; 3)reduces greenhouse gas emissions (GHG); 4) reduces waste to landfills; 5) reduces the use ofnon- renewable resources in the manufacturing of products; 6) supports green buildings and advances urban planning while protecting wildlife habitats; 7) improves opportunities for environmentally beneficial jobs; 8) enhances parks and recreational opportunities; 9) increases the urban forest canopy; 10) increases affordable public transit; 11) supports cleaner emissions from vehicles; 12) improves air quality; 13) ensures and conserves safe drinking water, and 14) supports sustainable urban watershed and wastewater planning and implementation. The City also supports renewable energy derived from sustainable 2023 Federal Legislative Platform14
resources such as wind, geothermal (steam), landfill gas (methane produced from decomposing waste), solar, and hydroelectric facilities that can be cost-effectively procured for residents and businesses.
The City supports air quality legislation that may include strategies to mitigate emissions as well as port operations that reduce air pollution as well as relieve traffic congestion. This is best demonstrated through Pasadena's use of alternative fuel vehicles for the City transit services.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Manager's Office: (626) 744-4333
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department: (626) 744-4386 Plaiming and Community Development Department: (626) 744-6833 Public Works Department: (626) 744-7311
Transportation Department: (626) 744-7664
Water and Power Department: (626) 744-4409
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Solid Waste Resource Management
The City of Pasadena is committed to waste reduction and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is an important strategy for redesigning problematic waste products and packaging. This approach would also reduce the financial and environmental burdens placed on local jurisdictions for managing these products at end of life by shifting these responsibilities to the product manufacturers.
As such, the City adopted an EPR Resolution in 2010 and also included expanding product stewardship efforts and extended producer responsibility as a key initiative in the City's Zero Waste Strategic Plan, which outlines the City's path to achieving Zero Waste by the year 2040 through 19 waste reduction strategies. California has set a statewide goal of a 75 percent reduction in organics disposed by 2025, which is driving the City's solid waste management plan for the next several years.
Additionally, in November 2018, China implemented a Green Sword Policy that drastically lowered the contamination level of accepted items and eliminated the import of mixed plastics and unsorted paper. These changes have affected the entire recycling market and have forced recycling programs to change to meet market demands.
Additional actions include:
•Product and disposal bans: The City supports legislation aimed at reducing disposable products and packaging, including product and disposal bans for environmentally problematic materials. Legislation that does not overly burden municipalities with data capture, reporting and enforcement and which does include reasonable phase out periods is ideal.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Initiatives: Support EPR initiatives to place a shared responsibility for end-of-life product management on the producers and all entities involved in the product chain, instead of passing costs along to the general public or municipalities. Initiatives should encourage product design changes that minimize a negative impact on human health and the enviroiunent at every stage of the product's lifecycle.
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Recycling and Organics Infrastructure Development: Seek County, State, and Federal funding and permitting support to help to facilitate local and regional organics processing capacity.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Public Works Department at (626) 744-731 1.
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