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CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
February 5, 2024-4:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
The regular meeting was convened and held virtually by videoconference/teleconference, as well as in-person in the Council Chamber.
OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
Mayor Gordo stated a
potential conflict with Item
C, recused himself, and
left the closed session
meeting at 5:38 p.m.
Mayor Gordo stated a
potential conflict with Item
D, recused himself, and
left the closed session
meeting at 8:57 p.m.
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 4:31 p.m. to discuss the following closed session item:
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL regarding
pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: DC Lake Holdings, LLC v. City of Pasadena First LASC Case No.: 19STCP04588
Second LASC Case No.: 22STCP04461
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL regarding
pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: Murphy v. City of Pasadena
LASC Case No.: 21STLC07424
ADDENDUM ITEM: CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL
PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.8
Property Locations: 1500 E. Villa Street, Pasadena, CA
Agency Negotiators: Miguel Marquez
Negotiating Parties: Dr. Elizabeth J. Blanco
Under Negotiation: Price and terms
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL regarding
significant exposure to potential litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): One (1)case
The above closed session items were discussed, with no reportable action at this time.
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Locations: 299 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101 Agency Negotiator: Miguel Marquez
Negotiating Party: Scott Unger
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of Lease
The above closed session item was discussed, following the regular meeting, with no reportable action at this time.
Council Minutes102/05/2024
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ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
1. PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
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On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting reconvened at 6:06 p.m The pledge of allegiance was led by Queen Naomi Stillitano and th< 2024 Rose Court. (Absent: None)
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Steve Madison
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton
Councilmember Justin Jones
Councilmember Jason Lyon
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Councilmember Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Felicia Williams
City Manager Miguel Marquez
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
Mayor Gordo reported that due to a potential conflict, he recusec himself from participating in Closed Session Agenda Item C, and hac left the closed session meeting during the City Council's discussion.
Mayor Gordo introduced the 2024 Rose Court Chair/Director Miss^ Baiunco Augustyn. Ms. Augustyn introduced the 2024 Rose Cour Queen Naoimi Stillitano and Princesses Olivia Bohanec, Trinity Dek Cruz, Phoebe Ho, Mia Moore-Wallker, Jessica Powell, and Emmersor Tucker. Mayor Gordo presented certificates of recognition to the 202^ Rose Court for their dedicated sen/ice in representing the City.
Koko Panossian, Parks, Recreation & Community Services Director provided introductory remarks about upcoming events to celebrate Black History Month, and introduced Jennifer Colby, Public Informatior Coordinator, who shared information and event details on the upcominc Black History Parade on Saturday, February 17, 2024, and the Mard Gras themed Senior Night Out on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Mayor Gordo invited the community, City staff, and City Council to the upcoming Mayor's State of the City on Thursday, February 29, 2024.
Mayor Gordo requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory o Marty Coleman, a long-time Pasadena resident who previously sen/ec as the Outreach Director for the Inter-Faith Center at All Saints Church and reflected on her social activism within the community.
Alien Shay, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the lacl- of time provided to the public to review an amended agenda item.
The following individuals urged the City to work with the School Distric in ending the City's lease at Jefferson Elementary School and allowinc the school to be used by the District as a temporary site for students Longfellow Magnet School during renovations:
Council Minutes202/05/2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
Ryan Thiha, Pasadena resident
Emily Stough, Altadena resident
Ed Washatka, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding campaign rhetoric occurring in City elections.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that 10 letters advocating for the City to support PUSD Longfellow Magnet School students to temporarily relocate to Jefferson Elementary school site were received by the City Clerk's office, distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO EXTEND THE DURATION OF
CONTRACT NO. 32334 WITH MICHAEL BAKER INTERNATIONAL
INC., FOR THE DESIGN OF THE WALNUT STREET CORRIDOR
SIGNAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (Transportation 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; (Contract No. 32334-1)
(2) Authorize the City Manager to extend Contract No. 32334 with Michael Baker International for one year, for a total contract period beginning from November 15, 2022, to November 15, 2024, for consulting services for the design and development of construction plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) of the Walnut Street Corridor Project; and
(3) It is further recommended the City Council grant the proposed contract extension 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.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING ONE NEW
CLASSIFICATION AND SALARY AND UPDATING THE SALARIES
OF TWENTY EXISTING CLASSIFICATIONS (Human Resources
Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed action in the agenda report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) "Common Sense" exemption; and (2) Adopt a Resolution Establishing One New Classification and Salary and Updating the Salaries of Twenty Existing Classifications. (Resolution No. 10032)
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Council Minutes302/05/2024
Item discussed separatelyCONTRACT AWARD TO A&Y ASPHALT CONTRACTORS INC., TO
FURNISH LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR UTILITY AND
MISCELLANEOUS STREET REPAIRS FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-
EXCEED $1,500,000 FOR THE WATER AND POWER
DEPARTMENT (Water & Power Dept.)
AUTHORIZATION TO AMEND CONTRACT NO. 32329 WITH
RAFTELIS FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS INC., DBA RAFTELIS FOR
WATER COST OF SERVICE ANALYSIS AND RATE DESIGN
SERVICES FOR AN AMENDED NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF
$211,708 FOR THE WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT (Water &
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 ofCEQAand 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 for the project; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to amend Contract No. 32329 with Raftelis Financial Consultants Inc., dba Raftelis ("Raftelis") for Water Cost of Service Analysis ("COSA") and rate design services from a not- to-exceed amount of $157,724 to $211,708 and extend the expiration to December 31, 2024. The total $53,984 amendment includes the base amendment of $46,943 and a 15% contingency of $7,041, to provide for any necessary change orders. (Contract No. 32329-2)
REJECT ALL BIDS TO FURNISH AND DELIVER CONCRETE
MATERIALS FOR THE WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT (Water
& Power Dept.)
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 Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(5) (projects which a public agency rejects or disapproves) and Section 15270 of the State CEQA Guidelines; and (2) Reject all bids received on December 5, 2023, in response to the Notice Inviting Bids to Furnish and Deliver Concrete Materials.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR
APRIL 8, 2024, FOR PROPOSED SEWER USE FEE RATE
STRUCTURE AND RATE ADJUSTMENTS (Public Works 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) Public Resources Code Section 21065 and Section 15378(b)(4), and that the proposed sewer use fee increases are statutorily exempt pursuant to Section 15273 (Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges) under State CEQA Guidelines, and as such, is not subject to environmental review; (2) Set a public hearing for April 8, 2024, regarding proposed Sewer Use Fee rate structure and rate adjustments; and
Council Minutes402/05/2024
City Council
RESIGNATIONS,
APPOINTMENTS, &
REAPPOINTMENTS
(3) Direct the Public Works Department to mail notices of public hearing set for April 8, 2024, regarding proposed Sewer Use Fee rate structure and rate adjustments.
Recommendation of the Municipal Services Committee: On
January 23, 2024, the Municipal Services Committee (MSC) voted unanimously to forward this item to the City Council to set the public hearing date. A committee member suggested that the proposed rate should be phased-in over the next five-years to allow customers to adjust to the overall proposed increase over time.
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: SET PUBLIC HEARING FOR
APRIL 8, 2024, FOR PROPOSED REFUSE COLLECTION FEE
INCREASES (Public Works Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed action in the agenda report is not a project as defined in the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Public Resources Code Section 21065 and Section 15378(b)(4) of the State CEQA Guidelines, and that the proposed refuse collection fee increases are statutorily exempt pursuant to Section 15273 (Rates, Tolls, Fares, and Charges) of the State CEQA Guidelines, and as such, is not subject to environmental review;
(2) Set a public hearing on April 8, 2024, regarding proposed refuse collection fee increases; and
(3) Direct the Public Works Department to mail notice of public hearing set for April 8, 2024, regarding proposed refuse collection fee increases.
Recommendation of the Municipal Services Committee: On
January 23, 2024, the Municipal Services Committee (MSC) voted unanimously to forward this item to the City Council to set the public hearing date. A committee member suggested that the proposed rate increase for the residential 32, 60, and 100 gallon containers should be equal. The proposed monthly rate increases are $8.47, $8.75, and $5.62 respectively.
RESIGNATION OF JACQUE ROBINSON-BAISLEY FROM
CHARTER STUDY TASK FORCE (At Large Nomination)
THE
ACKNOWLEDGE THE VACANCY CREATED BY THE DEPARTURE
OF MIKE OWEN FROM THE PASADENA CENTER OPERATING
COMPANY BOARD (Hotel Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF DAVID DiCRISTOFARO TO THE
TRANSPORTATION ADVISORY COMMISSION (District 6
Nomination)
REAPPOINTMENT OF CYNTHIA KURTZ AS THE CITY'S
REPRESENTATIVE ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE
METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025 (City Nomination)
Council Minutes502/05/2024
City Clerk/ Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
PUBLIC HEARING SET
MOTION:
DESIGNATION OF COUNCILMEMBER FELICIA WILLIAMS TO
SERVE AS THE CITY'S VOTING DELEGATE AT THE SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG)
ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO BE HELD ON MAY 2, 2024
November 6, 2023
November 6, 2023
November 13, 2023
November 13, 2023
November 13, 2023
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community
Development Commission
City Council - Special Meeting
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community
Development Commission
Claim No. Claimant
2024-0160 Theo Apartments - CSCDA
Community Improvement
2024-0161 CCMSI
2024-0162 Christina J. Maldonado
2024-0163 Danielle Valencia
2024-0164 Theodore Rouadi
2024-0165 RicciBonwell
2024-0166 David J. Jalate
2024-0167 Jewell Williams
2024-0168 Arturo, Olga, Dayanna Martinez
Sainz
2024-0169 Mercury Insurance Company as
subrogee of Laura Hall
2024-0170 State Farm Mutual Automobile
Insurance Company a/s/o Elliot
J. Ehlig
2024-0171 Michael Groff
Claim Amount
$850.00
Not stated
25,000.00+
25,000.00+
25,000.00+
25,000.00+
25,000.00+
9,500.00
25,000.00+
10,000.00+
2,604.20
475.00
FEBRUARY 26, 2024, 5:30 P.M.-Appeal of the Design Commission's Approval of a Concept Design Review Application for the Property at 141 South Lake Avenue
MARCH 11, 2024, 5:30 P.M. - Substantial Amendment to Annual Action Plans and 5-Year Consolidated Plan For Community Development Block Grant And Emergency Solution Grant
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Jones, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 3.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda,
Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
Council Minutes602/05/2024
Item discussed separately
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CONTRACT AWARD TO A&Y ASPHALT CONTRACTORS INC., TO
FURNISH LABOR AND MATERIALS FOR UTILITY AND
MISCELLANEOUS STREET REPAIRS FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-
EXCEED $1,500,000 FOR THE WATER AND POWER
DEPARTMENT (Water & 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 for this action; (2) Accept the bid dated November 13, 2023, submitted by A&Y Asphalt Contractors Inc., ("A&Y") in response to Specifications WD-23- 04; reject all other bids received; and
(3) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with A&Y for an amount not-to-exceed $1,500,000 for an initial period of one year, whichever comes first, with an option for two additional one-year terms at $1,500,000 per year, at the discretion of the City Manager, for a maximum total amount not-to-exceed $4,500,OOP.(Contract No.32845) Greg Fleming, Paveco Construction, Inc., expressed concerns about the bid process as the current contractor, and provided comments on what his company's bid amount would have been if Paveco would have received notice of the process.
Sidney Jackson, General Manager of Pasadena Water & Power, spoke on the City's procurement process for this project, and stated that selected bidder, A&Y Asphalt Contractions, Inc., was the lowest bid received.
In response to questions, Yan Qu, Water & Power Principal Engineer, stated that staff reached out to the current contractor, Paveco Construction, Inc., when bidding opened in October 2023.
Councilmember Hampton expressed concerns with the OpenGov bidding and contracting system, noting that some companies may not use or be familiar with the system, and are at times unaware of the timing to rebid expiring contracts; and he advocated for the City Council to reject all received bids and start the bidding process over.
City Attorney Bagneris clarified that the City Council can either approve the staff recommendation, continue the item and request staff to present additional information on the bids received, or reject all bids and restart the bidding process, which may delay projects.
Mayor Gordo expressed concerns that starting the bidding process over would be unfair to those who submitted bids, noting issues of equity/fairness and potentially undermining the City's competitive bidding system.
Council Minutes702/05/2024
MOTION:
RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENTS
City Council
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ORDINANCE - FIRST
READING
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General Manager Jackson stated that the City has ongoing watermain replacement projects pending, and delaying this procurement would create time challenges to address these important issues.
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton to continue the item, with direction to City staff to gather additional information on the details of the bidding process, based on public testimony, and report back to the City Council. Motion failed due to lack of second.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve staff recommendation.
AYES: Councilmembers Jones, Lyon, Masuda, Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES Councilmember Hampton
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
APPOINTMENT OF AN ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE
SAN GABRIEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS
GOVERNING BOARD (City Nomination)
It was moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by
Councilmember Hampton, to appoint Councilmember Lyon as the alternate representative to the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Governing Board.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda, Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CONDUCT FIRST READING OF "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AMENDING AND ADDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF
TITLE 17 (ZONING CODE) OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE
PERTAINING TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R&D)LAND
USES"
Nina Chomsky, Pasadena resident, inquired if the Ordinance carves out elementary school sites from R&D land uses.
City Manager Marquez clarified that the Ordinance does include a carve out in PS Zones, as indicated by the footnote stating the exclusion of K-12 schools.
The ordinance above was offered by Councilmember Hampton.
Council Minutes802/05/2024
Councilmember Jones
stated a potential conflict
of interest with the
proposed action, recused
himself, and left the dais
at 7:10 p.m.
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INFORMATION ITEM
Councilmember Jones
returned to the dais at
7:12 p.m.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda, Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: None
CONDUCT FIRST READING OF "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 17
(ZONING CODE) OF THE CITY OF PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE
TO IMPLEMENT THE CENTRAL DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN
UPDATE INCLUDING CHANGES PERTAINING TO RESEARCH
AND DEVELOPMENT LAND USES, MODIFYING THE OFFICIAL
ZONING MAP ESTABLISHED BY THE ZONING CODE (CHAPTER
17.20, SECTION 17.20.020) TO UPDATE THE BOUNDARIES OF
THE CENTRAL DISTRICT SPECIFIC PLAN, AND MAKING
TECHNICAL CHANGES TO THE LINCOLN AVENUE, EAST
COLORADO, AND SOUTH FAIR OAKS SPECIFIC PLANS FOR
INTERNAL CONSISTENCY"
r5)
The ordinance above was offered by Councilmember Hampton.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Lyon, Masuda, Rivas,
Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Jones
ORAL REPORT: PASADENA POLICE DEPARTMENT "YEAR IN
REVIEW 2023" PRESENTATION
Recommendation: This matter is presented for information only; no action is required.
Eugene Harris, Police Chief, provided a brief introduction and reviewed the item as part of Powerpoint presentation, highlighting retirements within the command structure of the Department, transition priorities, structural and cultural changes, statistics on computer aided dispatch, crime and response-time data, hiring and personnel demographics data, and the Police Department's process of contemporary rebranding.
In response to Councilmember Williams inquiry about recruitment, Police Chief Harris stated that the Department is trying to develop financial incentives to increase participation in recruitments to find higher level applicants.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's questions and concerns regarding the data indicating an overrepresentation of African Americans in traffic stops and arrests, Police Chief Harris noted that the statistics also include visitors to the City, whose population grows exponentially during the daytime and on weekends.
Council Minutes902/05/2024
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
Councilmember Hampton suggested incentivizing employees to become residents of Pasadena, as a way to promote and foster community engagement and connection. Police Chief Harris shared that employees are encouraged to join local organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, etc., to engage and be part of the community they serve.
In response to Councilmember Masuda's inquiry regarding employee training, Police Chief Harris stated that emotional intelligence training is critical aspect of the Department's focus, noting that many of the personnel being hired are individuals that come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, which can influence their policing practices.
Following discussion, by order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the information was received and filed.
On order of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council recessed to closed session at 8:42 p.m.
On order of the Mayor, t
adjourned ^ 9:33 p.m., in
Victor M. Gordo; Mayor
City of Pasadena
}
regular meeting of the City Council
ory of Marty Coleman.
^
City^Cler
Council Minutes1002/05/2024