OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
CITY OF PASADENA
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
COUNCIL CHAMBER - ROOM S249
JULY 30, 2024
Chair Madison called the special meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee to order at 4:42 p.m.
Vice Mayor Steve Madison, Chair
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Councilmember Jess Rivas
Councilmember Jason Lyon (Absent)
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager
Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development
Javan Rad, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary
PUBLIC COMMENT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
INFORMATION ONLY
No one appeared for public comment on matters not on the agenda.
Recording Secretary Sabha reported an amendment to the May 13, 2024 minutes, stating that the proposed revision is a modification to the second page, fifth paragraph, first sentence, to read "...current practice of attaching councilmember names to City-wide giveaway events, participation of councilmembers in Closed Session discussions about litigation in which the opposing party is a donor to their campaign, and recent recommendation brought by the Commission on the Status of Women about campaign mailers." It was moved by Councilmember Rivas, seconded by Vice Mayor Madison, to approve the minutes of May 7, 2024, as submitted, and May 16, 2024, amended as detailed above. (Motion unanimously carried) (Absent: Councilmember Lyon)
BRIEFING BY CHRIS GIGLIO ON FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE
MATTERS
Chris Giglio, Federal Legislative advocate for the City, provided an update on the following legislative matters listed below and answered questions on the following topics:
Congress working to pass the Fiscal Year 2025 budget;
• House of Representatives budget includes Community
Project Funding requests for Pasadena submitted by
Congresswoman Chu:
o $1,000,000 dollars for Jackie Robinson Community
Center upgrades; and
o $1,000,000 dollars for Police Department technology and equipment.
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02 Congress is in recess through Labor Day;
Senator Alex Padilla (CA) is proposing legislation to make the Low-lncome hlome Water Assistance Program (LlhlWAP)
permanent, which provides assistance to water utilities with delinquent customer payments;
o Mayor Gordo, a member of the United States Conference of Mayors, introduced a resolution that was approved, to support passage of the LIHWAP legislation.
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided information on future ceremonies that will thank Congresswoman Chu for her work in securing funding for local community projects.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF COMMISSION TERM LENGTHS
On the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the above referenced item will be continued to a future Committee meeting.
BRIEFING BY KYRA EMANUELS ROSS ON STATE
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
Kyra Emanuels Ross, State Legislative advocate for the City, provided an update on state and local legislative matters listed below and responded to questions:
State Legislature is on summer recess and will return on Monday, August 5,2024;
Governor Newsom signed 2024 budget on June 29, 2024;
California Supreme Court removed the California Business Roundtable measure from the November ballot;
Passage of AB 440, which calls for a special election, and allows two items on the ballot:
o Proposition 4, a $10 billion general obligation climate bond;and
o Proposition 2, a $10 billion general obligation school facility bond.
State propositions on ballot: Propositions 32, 33,34,36; Housing builder's remedy bills: AB 1886, AB 1893;
Three bills on Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) and the RHNA process;
Labor bill to address vacancies in city departments;
Bill that adds significant requirements on local governments and contractors for work not usually performed by public employees over $100,000; and
Governor Newsom signed an executive order on July 25,
2024' directing state agencies to develop plans to clear homeless encampments on state property.
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Recording Secretary Sabha reported that one letter of
correspondence related to this item was received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the record for this item.
Christopher Sutton, representing United Caltrans Tenants, requested that the City take a stance on the revised proposed regulations related to the Caltrans properties along the 710 corridor.
Chair Madison requested that the City's State Legislative advocates keep the Committee informed on legislation that would impact the 710 corridor.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
REVIEW OF RECENT HOUSING LEGISLATION IN CALIFORNIA
Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development, provided introductory comments, and Barbara Kautz, Goldfarb Lipman Attorneys, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the matter, including providing information on recent housing legislation in California, with both responding to questions.
Christopher Sutton, representing United Caltrans Tenants, advocated for the City to protect the rights of Caltrans property tenants to develop Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and urged the City to stay informed on the issue.
Chair Madison thanked City staff for staying informed on the dozens of complex housing bills that are introduced to Congress; and suggested developing a schematic to view projects from its inception and how proposed legislation may affect such projects.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF GOVERNOR NEWSOM'S
EXECUTIVE ORDER ADDRESSING HOMELESS
ENCAMPMENTS
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, introduced the item for Committee consideration and discussion, and responded to questions.
Chair Madison requested that the City Manager's Office provide information on the United States Supreme Court Grants Pass v.
Johnson decision, and the mandate from Governor Gavin Newsom to remove homeless encampments from state property. In addition, he advocated for state and federal programs and resources to compassionately address homelessness in the City.
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Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, responded that Mayor Gordo suggested agendizing the matter at a special study session for the City Council on Monday, August 26,2024.
The following individuals provided various comments on this matter:
Andrew Good, Pasadena resident
Jon Mabuni, Pasadena resident
Sonja Berndt, Pasadena resident
Joshua Grater, Pasadena resident
Brianna Lugo, Alhambra resident
Shawn Morrissey, Pasadena resident
Adriana Bautista, Pasadena resident
Liberty McCoy, Pasadena resident
Lexine Lin Mackenzie, Pasadena resident
Bert Newton, representing Making Housing and Community
Happen
David Serri, Pasadena resident
Jean Park, Los Angeles resident
Allison Henry, Pasadena resident
Recording Secretary Sabha reported that the City Clerk's Office received three letters of correspondence providing comments on the matter, which were distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the record.
Councilmember Rivas shared topics of interest when the item is agendized at a future City Council meeting for discussion, which include: tiny homes, a permanent year-round shelter, motel conversions, and a clear definition of an encampment. She also suggested that staff invite subject-matter experts from the homeless services community to be a part of the discussion.
Chair Madison echoed the need for input from subject-matter experts and spoke on the opportunity and obligation given the Governor's mandate, to develop a policy on the issue. He requested that the City Attorney's Office research camping-related ordinances adopted by the City in light of the Grant's Pass decision.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF
INSURANCE CATASTROPHIC MODELING REGULATION
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, stated that staff is available to provide a presentation on the matter at a future meeting.
Chair Madison and Councilmember Masuda both shared concerns from members of the community on the unavailability and/or 04 07/30/2024
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05 skyrocketing increase of home insurance premiums; and inquired what the City can do to address their concerns.
Chair Madison requested for the City's State Legislative advocates provide an update on the matter at the next scheduled Legislative Policy Committee meeting.
Kyra Emanuels Ross, State Legislative advocate for the City, provided information on two insurance-retated regulations moving through the legislature:
Senate Bill 504 (Dodd), defensible space requirements for homeowners to remove vegetation around a home for wildfire prevention; and
Senate Bill 610 (Wiener), high fire severity zone remapping that takes into account building standards and other factors.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF CHARTER REFORM;
CAMPAIGN FINANCE/ETHICS REFORM; AND COUNCIL
PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES
Chair Madison introduced the item in an effort to update the policies and procedures of the City Council and proposed that the Legislative Policy Committee assist in developing possible criteria for implementation.
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, clarified that the item was included on the agenda at the request of the Committee, but that City Clerk Jomsky, requested that discussion on the matter be tabled until the Charter Study Task Force completes its work so that the City Clerk can dedicate the appropriate amount of attention to this subject.
Councilmember Rivas recommended prioritizing topics for future discussion and direction to staff.
Chair Madison requested staff to examine the actions of the City Council related to City Charter reform and look for opportunities for regulation, by ordinance or resolution, that will further advance the intent of the City Council.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
PAST AGENDAS FOR CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
a. Accessibility and Disability Commission - June 25, 2024, July 23,2024
b. Arts & Culture Commission - June 12, 2024, July 10,2024 07/30/2024
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REQUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS
c. Board of Zoning Appeals - June 26, 2024
d. Code Enforcement Commission - July 9, 2024
e. Commission ontheStatusofWomen-June5, 2024, July 17,
2024
f. Community Police Oversight Commission - June 6, 2024, July 11,2024
g. Design Commission - June 11,2024,June 25, 2024, July 23, 2024
h. Environmental Advisory Commission - June 11, 2024, July 9, 2024
Fire & Police Commission - June 19, 2024, July 17,2024
j. Hahamongna Watershed Park Advisory Committee - June
13,2024
k. Historic Preservation Commission - June 11, 2024, June 18, 2024, July 16, 2024
1. Human Relations Commission - June 11, 2024
m. hluman Services Commission - June 12, 2024, July 10,2024 n. Library Commission - June 19,2024,June 26, 2024, July 17, 2024
o. Northwest Commission - June 18, 2024, July 9, 2024
p. Pasadena Rental Housing Board - June 26, 2024, July 10, 2024, July 24, 2024
q. Planning Commission - June 12, 2024, July 10, 2024, July 24,2024
r. Recreation and Parks Commission - June 4, 2024
s. Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group - July 1, 2024, July 17, 2024
t. Senior Commission - June 11, 2024, July 9,2024
u. South Lake Parking Place Commission - July 25, 2024
v. Transportation Advisory Commission - May 30, 2024, June 27,2024,July 25, 2024
w. Urban Forestry Advisor Committee - June 12, 2024, July 10, 2024
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, stated that a number of City Commissions hold their Annual Meeting in June, and that the agenda for those meetings would include their attendance record, election of officers, review of current work plan, and development of a new work plan.
Chair Madison recommended adding Commission term lengths, structure, and practices as a future agenda item for discussion.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
Chair Madison requested that the City's State Legislative advocates provide an informational presentation on home insurance affordability and availability; and for staff to determine available dates in September to schedule a special meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee.
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ADJOURNMENT
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On the order of the Chair, the special meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.
Ik
^ -^-^^
ATTEST:
Councilmember Steve Madison, Chair
Legislative Policy Committee
f
T$^r Sabha
Recofding Secretary
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