CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
October 2, 2023-4:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
Vice Mayor Williams and
Councilmember Hampton
arrived at 4:52 p.m. and
4:55 p.m., respectively.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the following closed session: (Absent: Councilmember Hampton, Vice Mayor Williams)
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL regarding
pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: Trang, J. v. City of Pasadena, et al.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 21GDCV00932
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property: 434-470 North Lake Avenue
Agency negotiator: Miguel Marquez
Negotiating Party: Kaiser Permanente
Under negotiation: Price and terms
The above closed session items were discussed, with no reportable action at this time.
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: Miguel Marquez and Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn
Employee Organization: Pasadena Police Supervisor Association The above closed session item was not considered.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting reconvened at 7:04 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Jose A. Gomez, Interim Superintendent/President of Pasadena City College.
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
Council Minutes110/02/2023
Staff:
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
City Manager Miguel Marquez
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
Mayor Gordo spoke on America Sameron, a graduate from Pasadena High School, student at Pasadena City College, and an active participant with the Pasadena Fire Fighter Explorer Program, who is currently recovering from severe second and third degree burns from a dune buggy accident in the Nevada desert. The City Council, Jose A.
Gomez, Interim Superintendent/President of Pasadena City College, Dr. Mathew Kodama, Principal of Pasadena High School, and Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin, shared words of encouragement and well-wishes in her speedy recovery.
Police Deputy Chief Chute introduced and welcomed the new Sergeant-At-Arms, Robert DuBois, and extended appreciation to Sergeant Mac Adesina for his recent service as Sergeant-At-Arms.
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation to Sara Goldman, Interim Accessibility Coordinator, Andrea Jennings, Chair of the Accessibility and Disability Commission, and Susan Hoge, President of Pasadena Civitan, proclaiming October 2023 as "National Disability Employment Awareness Month" in Pasadena. Ms. Goldman, Ms Jennings and Ms.
Hoge thanked the Mayor and City Council for the proclamation and recognition, spoke on the importance of recognizing America's workers with disabilities, and provided information on their annual Hire Up Pasadena Civitan Employer Recognition event, to be held on October 12, 2023, at Ability First, Lawrence Frank Center.
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation to Officer Mary Hooker and the Pasadena Police Department, proclaiming October 2023 as "Pink Strong Month" (Breast Cancer Awareness), in Pasadena.
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation to Michelle Bagneris, City Attorney/City Prosecutor, and Linda Offray, CEO of Shepherd's Door, proclaiming October 2023 as "Domestic Violence Awareness Month" in Pasadena. Mayor Gordo advocated for the City Council and City staff to work together to provide a van for organizations like Shepherds Door to transport victims of domestic violence for shelter and other resources and assistance.
Vice Mayor Williams announced that the City of Pasadena in partnership with the Peace Over Violence, Shepherd's Door, and Huntington Health, are hosting a Women's Empowerment Self- Defense Class on October 14, 2023, at Victor Park Community Center.
Mayor Gordo spoke on the passing of Senator Dianne Feinstein, the oldest sitting U.S. Senator and member of Congress, and stated that the City Council will adjourn in her memory.
Council Minutes210/02/2023
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SPECIAL ITEM
Vice Mayor Williams spoke on the passing of Russell Hobbs, president of the Pasadena and Foothill chapters of the American Institute of Architects, who was an active volunteer in preserving the heritage of Pasadena and Bungalow Heaven, and requested that the City Council also adjourn in his memory.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, reported on behalf of the Pasadena Police Department, that a Pink Strong Month fundraising event will be held at California Pizza Kitchen on October 12, 2023, in support of Breast Cancer Awareness.
City Manager Marquez introduced Koko Panossian, the new Director of Parks, Recreations and Community Services; and thanked Lola Osborne, Deputy Director of Parks, Recreations and Community Services for her work as the Acting Director. Mr. Panossian thanked the City Manager and expressed appreciation for the opportunity serve the City Council and the community in his new role.
PRESENTATION BY LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN
TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY ON THE HIGHWAY SOUNDWALL
PROGRAM (Public Works Dept.)
Recommendation: This special item is presented for information only; no action is required.
TonyOlmos, Director of Public Works, and Lourdes Kriste, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) Manager with Complete Streets & Highways Countywide Planning and Development Department, jointly provided a Powerpoint presentation on Metro's highway Soundwall Program, with both responding to questions.
Councilmember Hampton asked staff to provide information on whether the High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane on the N210 highway will be extended into Pasadena. He also asked staff to reach out to Senator Anthony Portantino for grant funding to reconnect communities that were displaced by the freeway and to install soundwalls; and determine if Measure R funding can be used to fund soundwalls.
Joaquin Siques, Acting Director of Transportation, provided information on the allowable uses of Measure R Mobility Improvement Project funding, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Jones advocated to extend the soundwalls south of Orange Grove Boulevard to protect the surrounding community and neighborhoods in Pasadena.
In response to Councilmember Masuda's inquiry related to soundwalls in East Pasadena, Mr. Olmos stated that staff will map out the current soundwalls in the City, and provide information on land-uses in residential areas, and report back to the City Council.
Council Minutes310/02/2023
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Clerk Jomsky, reported that three letters advocating for additional soundwall installations to mitigate noise and pollution impacts on affected surrounding neighborhoods, were received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted on-line, and made part of the public record.
Mayor Gordo expressed disappointment with Metro allowing other communities to move ahead of Pasadena in relation to soundwall installations, and stated he believes it is an equity issue as the communities in Pasadena have suffered the most impacts from the freeway.
Following discussion, on the order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the information was received and filed.
The following individuals expressed concerns with the City's Power Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which they believe will not comply with the City Council's adopted mandate of 100% carbon free energy as a goal; spoke on climate change and the climate crisis, and/or advocated for the City to attain its goal of carbon free energy by 2030:
Skylar Gering, representing Pasadena 100 (submitted postcards) Krishanu Sankar, representing Pasadena 100
Jenna Cobb, Pasadena resident
Denise Robb, Pasadena re
Judy Lee, representing Tai Ji Men Qigong Academy, invited the City Council and the community to attend the ribbon ceremony of the grand opening of the academy on Saturday, October 14, 2023, located at 570 East Orange Grove Boulevard.
Allison Henry, member of the Pasadena Rental Housing Board, invited the City Council and the community to two public workshops held via Zoom; Unlocking Success: Landlord and Property Management, to be held on Tuesday, October 17, 2023; and Understanding Your Rights:
Tenants Workshop, to be held on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND CONTRACT NO. 30848 WITH
BITFOCUS, INC., FOR ADDITIONAL CONTINUUM OF CARE
FUNDING FOR SOFTWARE SERVICES (Housing Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the recommended actions in the agenda report are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to amend Contract No. 30848, with Bitfocus, Inc., to increase the total contract value by $400,940.35, through November 30, 2028, for a not-to-exceed amount of $912,387.35, for the provision of the Homeless Management Council Minutes410/02/2023
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ITEM PULLED FROM
AGENDA AND NOT
CONSIDERED
Information System (HMIS) software services; and (Contract No. 30848-7)
(3) To the extent the contract amendment could be considered a separate procurement subject to the Competitive Bidding and Competitive Selection process, grant an exemption from Competitive Selection pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) 4.08.049(B), contracts for which the City's best interests are served; it is exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) based on contracts for labor, materials, supplies, or services available from only one vendor.
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND CITY CONTRACT NO. 30455 WITH
CELLCO PARTNERSHIP (DBA VERIZON WIRELESS), CITY
CONTRACT NO. 30536 WITH AT&T MOBILITY II LLC, AND CITY
CONTRACT NO. 30422 WITH SPRINT SOLUTIONS, INC., TO
PROVIDE WIRELESS VOICE AND BROADBAND SERVICES AND
EQUIPMENT (DolT)
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO FISCAL YEAR 2024 ADOPTED
OPERATING BUDGET (Finance Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the recommended actions in the agenda report are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
(2) Approve amending the Fiscal Year 2024 (FY 2024) Adopted Operating Budget as detailed in the agenda report; and (Budget Amendment No. 2024-19)
(3) Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the State of California Office of Traffic Safety for acceptance of the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) and the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant funds (in connection with Item #6 in the agenda report). (Contract No. 23,917)
AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER INTO A PURCHASE ORDER WITH
ALPHA DATA TECHNOLOGIES TO FURNISH AND DELIVER
COHESITY C2500 BACKUP APPLIANCE HARDWARE END OF
LIFE ("EOL") REFRESH AND C6045 RENEWAL FOR THE WATER
AND POWER DEPARTMENT (Water and Power Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed action in the agenda report is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA, and Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, and as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required; and
(2) i) Accept the bid dated August 21, 2023 submitted by Alpha Data Technologies in response to specifications for Cohesity C2500 Backup Appliance Hardware EOL Refresh and C6045 Renewal; ii) reject all other bids received; and iii) authorize the City Manager to enter into a Council Minutes510/02/2023
Purchase Order not-to-exceed $320,630, which includes the base contract amount of $305,361 and a 5% contingency of $15,269 to provide for any necessary change orders.
AUTHORIZATION TO INCREASE PURCHASE ORDER NO.
1240955, WITH END HOMELESSNESS CALIFORNIA DBA
SHOWER OF HOPE BY $15,184 FOR A REVISED TOTAL NOT-TO-
EXCEED AMOUNT OF $31,804 (Housing Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the recommended actions in the agenda report are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to increase Purchase Order No. 1240955 with End Homelessness California dba The Shower of Hope with State of California Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Round 3 ("HHAP-3") funding in the amount of $15,184 for a revised total not-to-exceed amount of $31,804 and to extend the term through December 30, 2023;
(3) Authorize the City Manager to approve an additional increase to Purchase Order 1240955 such that, subject to available funding, the total purchase order may be increased by $15,184 for a total not-to- exceed amount of $46,988 and extend the term through June 30, 2024; and
(4) To the extent the contract amendment could be considered a separate procurement subject to the Competitive Bidding and Competitive Selection process, grant an exemption from the Competitive Selection process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) 4.08.049(B), contracts for which the City's best interests are served; it is exempt from competitive bidding pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) based on contracts for labor, materials, supplies, or services available from only one vendor.
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND CONTRACT NO. 25,558 WITH THE
CITY OF LOS ANGELES TO PROVIDE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES
FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS TENANT-BASED RENTAL
ASSISTANCE (Housing Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the recommended actions in the agenda report are exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment; and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to amend Contract No. 25,558 with the City of Los Angeles to add $298,830.50 for a not-to-exceed total of $878,330.50 and extend the term through June 30, 2024 to support the continued provision of Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funded rental assistance. (Contract No. 23,558-2) Council Minutes610/02/2023
Pasadena Rental Housing
Board
Item discussed separately
RESIGNATIONS,
APPOINTMENTS, &
REAPPOINTMENTS
CONTRACT AWARD TO ABM INDUSTRIES DBA ABM
ELECTRICAL & LIGHTING SOLUTIONS, INC., FOR FIELD
LIGHTING ELECTRICAL WORK AT BROOKSIDE PARK FIELDS 2
& 3 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $296,280 (Public Works
Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find the contract proposed in the agenda report to be categorically exempt under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Title 14, Chapter 3, Article 19, Section 15301, Class 1 - Existing Facilities, and that there are no features that distinguish this project from others in the exempt class, and therefore, there are no unusual circumstances;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with ABM Industries dba ABM Electrical & Lighting Solutions, Inc., for electrical infrastructure upgrades for field lighting at Brookside Park Fields 2 & 3, and authorize City Manager to enter into a contract for an amount not- to-exceed $296,280, which includes the base contract amount of $246,900 and a contingency of $49,380 to provide for any necessary change orders. Competitive bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(H), contracts with other government agencies or their contractors for labor, materials, supplies or services; and (Contract No.32748)
(3) Grant the proposed contract an exemption from the Competitive Selection process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Section
4.08.049(B), contracts for which the City's best interests are served.
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO ATTORNEY SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH GOLDFARB & LIPMAN, LLP, TO PROVIDE
LEGAL SERVICES TO THE PASADENA RENTAL HOUSING
BOARD, INCREASING THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF THE
CONTRACT BY $175,000 TO $225,00
APPOINTMENT OF ALEX MENA TO THE NORTHWEST
COMMISSION (District 1 Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF LAURA FLEMING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COMMISSION (District 7 Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF MARK WATERSON TO THE SENIOR
COMMISSION (Agency Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF MARK SANBORN TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COMMISSION (District 4 Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF THEODORE (TED) SMITH TO THE
NORTHWEST COMMISSION (District 6 Nomination)
Council Minutes710/02/2023
MINUTES APPROVED
CLAIMS RECEIVED
PUBLIC HEARINGS SET
MOTION:
G
CONSENT ITEM
DISCUSSED
SEPARATELY
Pasadena Rental Housing
Board
Mayor Gordo recused
himself at 8:28 p.m. due
to a potential conflict, and
left the meeting.
APPOINTMENT OF JESS RIVAS AS THE CITY OF PASADENA'S
ALTERNATE MEMBER ON THE BURBANK-GLENDALE-
PASADENA REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST BOARD, A JOINT
POWERS AUTHORITY, CREATED PURSUANT TO SENATE BILL
NO. 1177 (City of Pasadena Nomination)
September 11, 2023
September 11, 2023
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community
Development Commission
Claim No. Claimant
2024-0067 Virginia Maria Valdez
2024-0068 Jamie Heim
2024-0069 480 Catalina Villa HOA
2024-0070 Chateau Fontaine HOA
2024-0071 Willard E. Pugh
2024-0072 Ben Steinberg
Claim Amount
$ 25,000.00+
25,000.00+
1,450.00
2,712.95
453.72
25,000.00+
October 30, 2023, 5:30 p.m. -Application to Designate 656 South Oak Knoll Avenue as a Landmark
October 30, 2023, 5:30 p.m. - Application to Designate the Langford Residence at 627 South Euclid Avenue as a Landmark
October 30,2023,5:30 p.m. -Application to Designate 701 West Holly Street as a Landmark
It was moved by Vice Mayor Williams, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 2 (Authorization to Amend City Contract No. 30455 with Cellco Partnership...), which was pulled from the agenda and not considered; and Item 8 (Approval of Amendment to Attorney Services Agreement with Goldfarb & Lipman, LLP...), which was discussed separately. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO ATTORNEY SERVICES
AGREEMENT WITH GOLDFARB & LIPMAN, LLP, TO PROVIDE
LEGAL SERVICES TO THE PASADENA RENTAL HOUSING
BOARD, INCREASING THE NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF THE
CONTRACT BY $175,000 TO $225,000
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed action is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) (common sense exemption); (2) Approve an amendment to the Attorney Services Agreement with the law firm of Goldfarb & Lipman, LLP ("Goldfarb") to provide legal services to the Pasadena Rental Housing Board ("PRHB"), to increase the contract amount by $175,000, for a not-to-exceed amount of $225,000, as approved by the PRHB at its September 13, 2023 meeting; (Contract No. 21,678-1)
Council Minutes810/02/2023
MOTION:
(3) Authorize the Chair of the PRHB to execute an amendment to the agreement with Goldfarb, and direct services to be performed by Goldfarb, acting on behalf of the Board;
(4) To the extent the proposed action is subject to the Competitive Selection process, grant the contract an exemption pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code ("PMC"), Section 4.08.049(B), contracts for which the City's best interests are served, in that these are specialized services, and there is a need to proceed immediately. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F), contracts for professional or unique services; and
(5) Amend the PRHB's Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget by appropriating $175,000 in the Pasadena Rental Housing Board Fund (689) for said services. (Budget Amendment No. 2024-20) The following individual expressed concerns with the Pasadena Rental Housing Board's (PRHB) recommendations:
Blake Boyd, residence not stated
Simon Gibbons, Pasadena residence
In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiry related to the City Attorney's Office recommending legal counsel to the PRHB, Michele Beal Bagneris, City Attorney/City Prosecutor, responded that her office did recommend Goldfarb due to their significant experience in setting up rental housing boards and entities, and responded to questions.
Karen M. Tiedemann, Attorney with Goldfarb & Lipman, LLP, provided information on responding to Public Records Act (PRA) requests from the public, and responded to questions.
Vice Mayor Williams expressed concerns with the lack of a budget from the PRHB, as normally departments and boards submit a budget to the City Council prior to the City Council approving contracts.
Ryan Bell, Chair of the Pasadena Rental Housing Board, informed the City Council that the PRHB plans to conduct a Request For Proposal (RFP) for legal counsel once the current initial interim period is completed, and responded to questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by Councilmember Rivas, to approve the Pasadena Rental Housing Board recommendation:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Madison,
Masuda, Rivas
NOES: Vice Mayor Williams
ABSENT: Mayor Gordo
ABSTAIN: None
Council Minutes910/02/2023
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Mayor Gordo returned to
the meeting at 8:47 p.m.
Councilmember Jones
recused himself at 8:47
p.m., due to a potential
conflict, and left the
meeting.
Councilmember hlampton
was excused and left the
meeting at 8:47 p.m.
Councilmember Jones
returned to the dais and
meeting at 8:49 p.m.
Motion:
Motion:
CENTRAL DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN UPDATE (Planning Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council continue the public hearing to October 16, 2023, at 5:30 p.m.
Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Vice Mayor Williams, seconded by Councilmember Rivas, to continue the public hearing to October 16, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones)
SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2023-2024 ANNUAL ACTION
PLAN FOR HOME INVESTMENT PARTNERSHIP ACT PROGRAM
FUNDS (Housing Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the recommended action in the agenda report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061 (b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
(2) Approve the submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of a Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan (2023-2024) as described in the agenda report for the reallocation of $500,000 in non-committed HOME Partnership Act (HOME) funds; and
(3) Authorize the City Manager to execute, and the City Clerk to attest, the grant applications, certifications, and any and all other documents deemed necessary by HDD to obtain the allocation of the aforementioned federal entitlement funds.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, opened the public hearing; reported that the public hearing notice was published in the Pasadena Press on August 31, 2023, and September 21, 2023, in the Pasadena Journal on August 31, 2023; and no correspondence was received by the City Clerk's Office.
Bill Huang, Director of Housing, provided an oral summary of the recommended amendments to the 2023-2024 Annual Action Plan, and responded to questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Vice Mayor Williams, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to close the public hearing. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
It was moved by Vice Mayor Williams, seconded by Councilmembei Jones, to approve the staff recommendation. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
Council Minutes1010/02/2023
Councilmembers Lyon
and Jones recused
themselves at 8:54 p.m.,
due to a potential conflict,
and left the meeting.
c
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: QUASI-JUDICIAL ACTION:
APPEAL OF THE DESIGN COMMISSION'S APPROVAL OF AN
APPLICATION FOR CONCEPT DESIGN REVIEW (DHP2022-00248)
FOR A NEW THREE-TO FIVE-STORY MIXED-USE PROJECT
INCLUDING 14,346 SQUARE FEET OF OFFICE SPACE, 263
RESIDENTIAL UNITS, SUBTERRANEAN PARKING, AND 4,033-
SQUARE-FEET OF PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE OPEN SPACE AT
740-790 EAST GREEN STREET (Planning Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Adopt the Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring Reporting Program (Attachments E1-E4 to the agenda report);
(2) Approve a Private Tree Removal to allow the removal of a 21.5- inch DBH Ulmus parvifolia (Chinese Elm) and a 30.6-inch DBH Ficus macrocarpa 'Nitida' (Indian laurel fig) tree;
(3) Find that the project will comply with the purposes of design review, the design-related goals and policies of the Land Use Element of the General Plan, and the Design Guidelines in the Central District Specific Plan (Attachment A of the agenda report); and
(4) Deny the appeal and approve the application for Concept Design Review subject to the conditions in Attachment B, of the agenda report, which shall be further reviewed by the Design Commission during Final Design Review.
City Clerk Jomsky, opened the public hearing; reported that the public hearing notice was mailed and posted on September 1, 2023; and that one letter in support of the staff recommendation to uphold the Design Commissions' concept design review, and two letters in opposition or expressing concerns related to the staff recommendations and advocating for the staff to prepare an Environmental Impact Report for the proposed project, were received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted on-line, and made part of the public record.
Jennifer Paige, Director of Planning and Development provided introductory comments, and Stephanie Cisneros, Senior Planner, and John Bellas, contractor with the Planning Department, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the item, including information on the project background, renderings, and appeal arguments, with all responding to questions.
Richard McDonald, representing the applicant (Stanford Pasadena, LLC), provided information on the applicant's community outreach efforts to address concerns related to the project, the design review process using the City's concessions, traffic concerns, and the project; and responded to questions.
Council Minutes1110/02/2023
Motion:
Motion:
Rebecca Davies, representing the appellant (Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility), urged the City Council not to approve the staff recommendation, as the appellant believes the Mitigated Negative Declaration violates California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), and provided information to support their claims; and responded to questions.
The following individuals expressed concerns with the Design Commission's review of CEQA documents related to the project, and lack of mitigation for the additional vehicle trips related to the project, as well as provided various other comments:
Nina Chomsky, Pasadena resident
Erika Foy, Pasadena resident
Following public comment, it was moved by Vice Mayor Williams, seconded by Councilmember Masuda, to close the public hearing. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones,Lyon)
Mayor Gordo expressed concerns with the forthcoming "cookie-cutter" approach to projects and the lack of City control due to state legislation related to density and CEQA requirements.
Vice Mayor Williams stated that she believes the Design Commission is not the appropriate commission to review environmental documents, and stated she will not support the staff recommendation. She asked staff to provide citations in the Pasadena Municipal Code (PMC) that authorizes the Design Commission to certify CEQA documents.
Theresa Fuentes, Assistant City Attorney, cited information in the PMC that provides a list of boards and commissions in the City that are authorized to review CEQA documents; and responded to questions.
Following discussion and questions related to the need for the City Council to take an affirmative action on the matter, as well as the lack of sufficient number of Councilmembers present at the meeting to do so, Councilmember Madison advocated for the City Council to continue the Public Hearing to a future meeting when additional members of the City Council can attend and participate.
Following further discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by Councilmember Rivas, to re-open the public hearing and continue the hearing to October 16, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones,Lyon)
Council Minutes1210/02/2023
BRIEF REPORTS FROM
REPRESENTATIVES/RE
QUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Vice Mayor Williams reported on her attendance as a voting delegate at the League of California Cities Annual Conference held on September 20-22, 2023.
On order of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjourned at 10:18 p.m., in memory of Senator Dianne Feinstein and Russell Hobbs.
ATTEST:
^y^
Victor M. Gordb, Ma^or
City of Pasadena
Cify^Ferl
D
Council Minutes1310/02/2023