OPENING:
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
REMOTE PARTICIPATION
REQUEST
Councilmember Rivas joined
the meeting at 6:41 p.m.
Council Minutes
CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
April 19, 2023 - 5:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
SPECIAL MEETING
Mayor Gordo called the special meeting to order at 6:39 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Williams.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Felicia Williams
Councilmember Tyron Hampton
Councilmember Justin Jones
Councilmember Jason Lyon
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Councilmember Jessica Rivas (Arrived at 6:41 p.m.)
City Manager Miguel Marquez
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
APPROVAL OF A REQUEST BY COUNCILMEMBER RIVAS TO
PARTICIPATE REMOTELY DUE TO EMERGENCY
CIRCUMSTANCES
Mayor Gordo stated the following: "I received an email on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 from Councilmember Jess Rivas requesting that the City Council allow her to participate remotely for the special City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, due to emergency circumstance pursuant to Government Code Section 54953 [(F)(2)(A)(ii)], and that she is following her physicians order placing her off work for a medical condition that prevents her from attending in person."
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by
Councilmember Madison, to approve the request by
Councilmember Rivas to participate remotely in today's City Council meeting due to emergency circumstances as described in her communication to the City Council dated April 12, 2023, subject to the requirements of Government Code Section 54953. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Rivas)
Mayor Gordo read the following statement: "While I believe I am able to participate in this evening's meeting, consistent with my prior recusals on this matter and in order to ensure that the integrity of this important process, which we all want to be successful, is beyond reproach, out of abundance of caution, I will recuse myself from the appointment process of the [Pasadena] Rental Housing 04/19/2023
Mayor Gordo recused
himself and left the meeting
at 6:44 p.m.
Council Minutes
Board, because I own rental property in the City of Pasadena. Now let me be clear, I am seeking further advice from the FPPC in order to ask for clarity on future participation in the appointment process of the Rental Housing Board. But at this point in time, out of an abundance of caution, and to ensure that this process is beyond reproach and has the best chance to succeed, I will recuse myself and hand the gavel to Vice Mayor Williams."
APPOINTMENT OF SEVEN TENANT MEMBERS, ONE
AL TERNA TE TENANT MEMBER, FOUR AT-LARGE MEMBERS,
AND ONE AL TERNA TE AT-LARGE MEMBER TO THE
PASADENA RENTAL HOUSING BOARD (PRHB) (City Clerk)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed actions are exempt from review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") in accordance with State CEQA Guidelines § 15061 (b)(3), the "common sense" provision that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and
(2) Approve the nominations and make initial appointments to the Pasadena Rental Housing Board in accordance with City Charter Sections 1811 (c) and (d), as follows:
• Seven Tenant Members (one from each Council District) o Four Members to serve four-year terms
o Three Members to serve two-year terms
• One Alternate Tenant Member (citywide) to serve a
four-year term
• Four At-Large Members (citywide)
o Two Members to serve four-year terms
o Two Members to serve two-year terms
• One Alternate At-Large Member (citywide) to serve a
four-year term
Vice Mayor Williams provided an overview of the meeting format and announced that public comment will be heard after the City Clerk's presentation.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, presented a PowerPoint presentation on the item, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Madison expressed concerns regarding appointing applicants to the PRHB that are active parties in a lawsuit that challenges the validity of Measure H, and asked that the City Attorney identify any applicants that are parties in that litigation.
Councilmember Hampton expressed appreciation to the City Clerk and staff for organizing the information; thanked the public and all the applicants who applied; and expressed the importance to him that the individuals appointed will view the issues collectively, as a whole, and not just view the issue from one side.
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Council Minutes
In response to Councilmember Madison, City Attorney Bagneris provided the following Plaintiff names: Ahni Dodge, Simon Gibbons, Margaret Morgan, Danielle Moskowitz, and Tyler Werrin. She also named the lnterveners: Michelle White, Ryan Bell, and Affordable Pasadena. She noted that the City Charter Article XVIII establishes the qualifications for appointment to the PRHB, stating there is no language in the Charter that states someone who is party to litigation, or who challenges the measure, is ineligible to serve.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, reported that the City Clerk's Office received twenty-seven letters expressing opposition to the City Council appointing all or some of the following applicants to the Pasadena Rental Housing Board; Penny Carter (1 letter), Ahni Dodge (15 letters), Simon Gibbons (23 letters), Tyler Werrin (21 letters), Daniel Gonzalez (3 letters), Terry Tomek (17 letters), Barbara Pitts (1 letter), Emanuel Najera (1 letter), Allison Henry (1 letter); and forty-seven letters in support of the City Council appointing all or some of the following applicants to the PRHB:
Brandon Lamar (11 letters), Paulette Brown (2 letters), Peter Dreier (7 letters), Thea Orozco (5 letters), Arnold Siegel (5 letters), Ira West (7 letters), Aaron Markowitz (7 letters), James Edward Greely (2 letters), Adela Torres (2 letters), Simon Ybarra (1 letter), Ryan Bell (5 letters), Allison Henry (23 letters), Michelle White (5 letters), Robert Escobedo (5 letters), Gian McCoy (3 letters), Yaneli Soriano Santiago (2 letters), Katherine Hindman (1 letter), Penny Carter (1 letter), Ahni Dodge (2 letters), Simon Gibbons (2 letters), Tyler Werrin (2 letters), Diane Romero Chavez (1 letter), Deborah Dunlop (1 letter). In addition, one letter advocating for the City Council to appoint members to the PRHB that will act in good faith; one letter advocating for the City Council to not appoint any landlords to the PRHB; and three letters advocating for the City Council to consider appointing landlords to the PRHB in an equal manner to tenant applicants, and/or expressing concerns with short notice of the special meeting to the community; were received by the City Clerk's Office, with all correspondence distributed to the City Council, posted on-line, and made part of the public record.
The following individuals provided comments on the matter:
Ashay Patel, Pasadena resident
Simon Ybarra, Pasadena resident
Porfiria Guerrero, Pasadena resident
Robert Escobedo, Pasadena resident
Swany Barahona, Pasadena resident
Felicitas Flores, Pasadena resident
Adela Torres, Pasadena resident
Jose Madera, Pasadena resident
Brigitte Rooney, Pasadena resident
Dan Huynh, Pasadena resident
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Council Minutes
Victor Suarez, Pasadena resident/Pasadena Tenant Union
Bin Lee, Pasadena resident
James Williams, Pasadena resident
Rian Barrett, representing Pasadena Foothills Realtors
Max Sherman, representing Apartment Association of
Greater Los Angeles
Aaron Markowitz, Pasadena resident
Jocelyn Anderson, Pasadena resident
Paul DeJoseph, Pasadena resident
Kevin J. Moore, Pasadena resident
Danielle Moskowitz, Pasadena resident
Bonnie Wallace, Pasadena resident
Arnold Siegel, Pasadena resident
Matthew Buck, representing California Apartment
Association
Florence Annang, Pasadena resident
Anthony Manousos, Pasadena resident
Liberty McCoy, Pasadena resident
Jane Panangaden, Pasadena resident
Bert Newton, Pasadena resident
Andrew Good, Pasadena resident
Pablo Alvarado, Pasadena resident
Gina Dance, Pasadena resident
Jack Biondolillo, Pasadena resident
Allen Shay, Pasadena resident
Michelle White, Pasadena resident
APPOINTMENT OF PASADENA RENTAL HOUSING BOARD
TENANT MEMBERS
Councilmember Lyon expressed concerns with the suggested terms of the tenant nominees, and made a motion for Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7 appointments to be four-year terms, and Districts 2, 4, and 6 be to be two-year terms.
MOTION DIED DUE TO LACK OF SECOND
Councilmember Rivas expressed concerns with the applications of Ms. Pitts and Mr. Najera as not having more detail regarding their qualifications, commenting that Councilmembers' main source of information comes from the submitted applications when
nominating members to the Board.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to appoint the following to serve as Tenant Members:
District 1: Emanuel Najera
District 2: Dianne Romero Chavez
District 3: Brandon Lamar
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Original Motion
Substitute Motion:
Council Minutes
AYES:
NOES:
District 4: Barbara Pitts
District 5: Yaneli Soriano Santiago
District 6: Ryan Bell
District 7: Deborah Dunlop
Councilmembers Hampton, Jones,
Masuda, Rivas, Vice Mayor Williams
None
Lyon, Madison,
ABSENT: Mayor Gordo (recused)
None ABSTAIN:
It was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by
Councilmember Jones, to approve the terms recommended by the City Clerk (which align/coincide with the City's Council District election cycles), as stated below:
District 1: Emanuel Najera
District 2: Dianne Romero Chavez
District 3: Brandon Lamar
District 4: Barbara Pitts
District 5: Yaneli Soriano Santiago
District 6: Ryan Bell
District 7: Deborah Dunlop
4-year term
4-year term
2-year term
4-year term
2-year term
4-year term
2-year term
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Madison, Masuda,
Rivas, Vice Mayor Williams
NOES: Councilmember Lyon
ABSENT: Mayor Gordo (recused)
ABSTAIN: None
APPOINTMENT OF PASADENA RENTAL HOUSING BOARD
AT-LARGE MEMBERS
Following deliberation, it was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to appoint the following individuals to serve as At-Large members:
Arnold Siegel - District 1 resident
Lourdes Gonzalez - District 3 resident
It was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by
Councilmember Rivas, to make a substitute motion to appoint the following individuals to serve as At-Large members:
Arnold Siegel - District 1 resident
Lourdes Gonzalez - District 3 resident
Peter Dreier - District 2 resident
Michelle White - District 5 resident
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Vote on Original Motion:
Original Motion:
Substitute Motion:
Substitute Motion:
Vote on Original Motion:
Original Motion:
Council Minutes
AYES: Councilmembers Madison, Rivas
NOES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda, Vice Mayor Williams
ABSENT: Mayor Gordo (recused)
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION FAILED
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by
Councilmember Lyon, to appoint the following individuals to serve as At-Large members:
Arnold Siegel - District 1 resident
Lourdes Gonzalez - District 3 resident
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Hampton, Jones,
Masuda, Rivas, Vice Mayor Williams
None
Mayor Gordo (recused)
None
Lyon, Madison,
It was moved by Councilmember Jones, seconded by
Councilmember Lyon, to appoint Adela Torres, District 3 resident, to serve as an At-Large member.
Councilmember Hampton made a substitute motion to appoint Marie McDonald and Allision Henry to serve as At-Large members.
MOTION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF SECOND
Councilmember Hampton made a substitute motion to appoint Marie McDonald to serve as an At-Large member.
MOTION FAILED DUE TO LACK OF SECOND
It was moved by Councilmember Jones, seconded by
Councilmember Lyon, to appoint Adela Torres, District 3 resident, to serve as an At-Large member:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Hampton, Jones,
Masuda, Rivas, Vice Mayor Williams
None
Mayor Gordo (recused)
None
Lyon, Madison,
As required by the Brown Act, Councilmember Rivas reported that no one over 18 years old is, or has been, present in the room with her during this meeting.
It was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by
Councilmember Rivas, to appoint Peter Dreier, District 2 resident, to serve as an At-Large member.
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Substitute Motion:
Substitute Motion:
Motion:
Council Minutes
It was moved by Councilmember Jones, seconded by
Councilmember Hampton, to make a substitute motion to appoint Michael Chapman, District 3 resident, to serve as an At-Large member:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Vice Mayor Williams NOES: Councilmember Lyon, Madison, Masuda, Rivas
ABSENT: Mayor Gordo (recused)
ABST Al N: None
MOTION FAILED
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by
Councilmember Jones, to make a substitute motion to appoint Allision Henry, District 3 resident, to serve as an At-Large member:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda, Vice
Mayor Williams
Counciimembers Madison, Rivas
Mayor Gordo (recused)
None
APPOINTMENT OF PASADENA RENTAL HOUSING BOARD
AL TERNA TE AT-LARGE MEMBER
It was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by
Councilmember Jones, to appoint Peter Dreier, District 2 resident, to serve as the Alternate At-Large member:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Hampton, Jones,
Masuda, Rivas, Vice Mayor Williams
None
Mayor Gordo (recused)
None
Lyon, Madison,
APPOINTMENT OF PASADENA RENTAL HOUSING BOARD
AL TERNA TE TENANT MEMBER
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by
Councilmember Jones, to appoint Aaron Markowitz, District 1 resident, to serve as the Alternate Tenant member:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Madison,
Masuda, Rivas, Vice Mayor Williams
None
Mayor Gordo (recused)
None
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ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
Council Minutes
Vice Mayor Williams congratulated the newly appointed Pasadena Rental Housing Board (PRHB) members, thanked all the applicants for participating in the process; and announced that the City Clerk will ensure that welcome letters will be sent to each appointee, and that his office will organize the initial meeting for the PRHB.
On order of the Vice Mayor, the special meeting of the City Council adjourned at 9:07 p.m.
City of
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