OPENING:
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
September 9, 2024 - 5:30 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Lyon. (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
Eugene Harris, Chief of Police, introduced Sergeant Danny Morris as the new Sergeant At Arms, provided information on Sergeant Morris' background and his path to serving the City. Sergeant Morris thanked the City Council for the opportunity to serve in this capacity. Mayor Gordo welcomed Sergeant Morris and thanked Sergeant Urita for his service as the previous Sergeant At Arms.
Pam Cantero, Recreation & Community Services Superintendent, spoke on Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month, and announced the upcoming parade and events celebrating the City's Latino heritage.
Lisa Barrios and Vannia De La Cuba, representing the Latino Heritage Committee, highlighted planned activities to recognize and celebrate Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month. Catherine Haskett Hany, Library Program Coordinator, spoke on special library programming to be held in commemoration of Hispanic & Latino Heritage Month.
Sanford Krasner, Pasadena 100, expressed concerns related to the City's optimized strategic plan and advocated for rooftop solar, community solar, and battery storage for optimal use.
Cynthia Cannady, Pasadena 100, expressed concerns pertaining to the gap between the City's policy for carbon free energy and implementation of the City's energy strategic plan.
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE SUCCESSOR AGENCY OF
THE PASADENA COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
APPROVING THE SALE OF THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 145
NORTH RAYMOND AVENUE (ARMORY CENTER FOR THE ARTS)
(Office of the City Manager)
Council Minutes109/09/2024
City Council
RESIGNATIONS,
APPOINTMENTS, &
REAPPOINTMENTS
Item pulled from agenda
Advisory Bodies
Recommendation: It is recommended that the Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community Development Commission:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
(2) Adopt a resolution approving the sale of the property owned by the Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community Development Commission located at 145 North Raymond Avenue and identified as APN 5723-021-901 (Property) with the current tenant, Armory Center for the Arts. (SA Resolution No. 8)
City Clerk Jomsky reported that one letter providing historical information on the Armory Center was received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record for this item.
Leslie Ito, Pasadena resident, expressed gratitude for the City Council's support for the Armory Center for the Arts, and emphasized the significance of art programs in fostering creativity throughout the community.
APPOINTMENT —OF—ROBERT—W.—LANSFORD —TO—THE
RECREATION & PARKS COMIVIISSION
(At Large Nomination/District 2)
u
DISPLACEMENT EVENT FINDINGS FOR 3 SOCCER MATCHES IN
2025 (RBOC)
Recommendation of the Rose Bowl Operatinfl company: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the events proposed in the agenda report are categorically exempt under California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15323 (Normal Operations of Facilities for Public Gatherings); and
(2) Make the findings set forth in the agenda report and required by Pasadena Municipal Code Section 3.32.270 for the 19th, 20th, 21st displacement events for 2025.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiries regarding the additional three soccer matches, Jens Weiden, Rose Bowl Operating Company General Manager/CEO, confirmed that the three matches are included within the 25 displacement events discussed at the August 26, 2024 council meeting.
Council Minutes209/09/2024
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
PUBLIC HEARING SET
MOTION:
('ORDINANCE-SECOND
READING
Claim No. Claimant
2025-0027 Void Claim No. (Test)
2025-0028 Peng Liu
2025-0029 Blade Alexander Olson
2025-0030 Allison Fuller
2025-0031 Rosalva Cortez
2025-0032 Daisy Alvarez, an individual &
successor-in-interest of Ricardo
G. Andrade
2025-0033 James L. Jackson, Jr.
2025-0034 Gerardo R. Cano
2025-0035 Kathleen Ann Mercado
Ronquillo
Claim Amount
$10,000.00+
350.00
2699.80
500.00
35,000.00+)
35,000.00+
35,000.00+
35,000.00+
September 20, 2024, 6:00 p.m. - Zoning Code Amendments Related to Adaptive Reuse of Existing Non-residential Buildings, Including Changes Related to Shared Parking, Tandem Parking, and Variances for Historic Resources
It was moved Vice Mayor Madison, seconded by Councilmember Jones, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 2, which was pulled from the agenda. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
Adopt "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA AMENDING
TITLE 2, ARTICLE I, CHAPTER 2.05, SECTION 2.05.060 OF THE
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO CHANGE THE REGULAR
MEETING TIME FOR THE CITY COUNCIL" (Ordinance No. 7432) The above ordinance was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda, Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
City Attorney Bagneris noted the changes resulting from the now adopted ordinance will become effective upon publication, with the changes to future City Council closed sessions starting at 5:00 p.m. and open sessions starting at 6:00 p.m. to begin on a go forward basis, starting next week, September 16, 2024.
Mayor Gordo noted that at next week's City Council meeting, staff will provide a report and discussion regarding the recent heat wave affecting the City and surrounding region, including power outages, responses from Pasadena Water and Power and City departments, as well successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Council Minutes309/09/2024
RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENTS
City Manager
Li
RECEIVE INFORMATION AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE RELATING
TO THE CITY'S EFFORTS TO ADDRESS ISSUES ASSOCIATED
WITH HOMELESSNESS (Office of the City Manager)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Receive and provide guidance relating to services provided to the unhoused in Pasadena by the City and its governmental and non- governmental partners, including guidance relating to Pasadena Municipal Code Section 3.24.110(A)(8) which prohibits camping in public places, and provide guidance on the City's role, if any, on regional efforts to address homelessness.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that 30 letters advocating for the City to reject homelessness enforcement policies, adopt the "Good Neighbor" Pledge, and/or expand housing development and supportive services, 1 letter expressing safety concerns with homeless encampments in the Arroyo Seco, and 10 letters advocating for the City to reaffirm and uphold the ordinance prohibiting public camping and obstructing rights of way, were received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record for this item.
City Manager Marquez provided introductory remarks on the item and introduced various City departments that would presenting vital information and contributing to discussion on the matter.
Alexander Hernandez, Assistant to the City Manager, provided background information on the item and an overview of the presentation. Amanda Cusick, Deputy City Attorney, presented background information on the Grants Pass v. Johnson case, the Supreme Court's ruling, and the Governor's Executive Order and the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Action (which both resulted from the Supreme Court ruling). Tim Wellman, Chief Assistant City Prosecutor, provided an overview of the prosecution process for competent unhoused defendants and the Prosecution Division's "care first" approach. Bill Huang, Director of Housing, provided an overview of government resources, responsibilities, and homeless services.
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, reported on LA County Metro crisis intervention initiatives and homeless outreach partners utilized to address homelessness on their transit system. Nathan Press, Public Health Program Coordinator, shared success stories of homeless individuals that the City has aided, highlighted the multiple aspects that contribute to individuals becoming homeless, and reported on aspects of the Pasadena Outreach Response Team (PORT) services. Jennifer O'Reilly-Jones, Housing Program Coordinator, presented demographics of the City's unsheltered population and reported on the initiatives of street outreach efforts, housing operations, and other programs. Tony Zee, representing the PORT Team, presented client successes and elaborated on PORT services. Police Commander Bill Grisafe reported on the mental health services provided by the City's Homeless Outreach Psychiatric Evaluations (HOPE) Team. Ted Smith, Assistant City Prosecutor, concluded the Council Minutes409/09/2024
LI
presentation and reported that City Attorney/Prosecutor's Office is working on establishing a "Homeless Court" to address issues of homelessness and assist unhoused defendants by connecting them to interim housing and other services. Members of the staff presentation group responded to City Council questions.
The following individuals expressed concerns pertaining to the ineffectiveness of encampment sweeps, expressed opposition to criminalizing homelessness, advocated for affordable housing and additional resources to address homelessness, and/or provided various comments:
Shawn Morrissey, Union Station Homeless Services
David Serri, Union Station Homeless Services
Joshua Grater, Friends In Deed
Sonja Berndt, Pasadena resident
Holly Hight, Pasadena resident
Millie, Pasadena resident
Donna Sider, Making Housing and Community Happen
Joanna Mariani, Pasadena resident
Andrew Good, Pasadena for All
Raquel Calderon, Pasadena resident
Anthony Manousos, Making Housing and Community Happen
Teri Stein, Los Angeles resident
Marley 0, Pasadena for All
Justin Glover, Pasadena resident
Zoe Laub, Pasadena resident,
MarkVinzani, Pasadena resident,
Claudia Funke, Pasadena resident
Bert Newton, Making Housing and Community Happen
Jill Shook, Making Housing and Community Happen
Suzanne Lee, Pasadena resident
James Maddox, Pasadena resident
Reverand Sharon Richter, Trinity Lutheran Church
Matthew Brehove, Abundant Housing Pasadena
Lexine Lin Mackenzie, Pasadena resident
Jose Madera, Pasadena resident
Denise Robb, Throop Unitarian Church
Hannah Cantrell, Pasadena resident
Victor Suarez, Pasadena for All
Carmen Conde, Pasadena resident
Carl Sulkin, Social Justice Committee of Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center
Amara Onoiwu, Monrovia resident
Jake Pierce, residence not stated
Allison Henry, Pasadena resident
James Kojian, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the impacts of homelessness on small businesses in the City.
Council Minutes509/09/2024
L
Mayor Gordo reported that the San Gabriel Valley Council of Government (SGVCOG) has begun discussing how to address the matter of homelessness on a regional level, coordinating efforts among the 31 associated cities of the SGVCOG, and also reported that he extended an invitation to the neighboring cities of Burbank, Glendale, and South Pasadena to collaborate with the SGVCOG on the matter.
Councilmember Lyon thanked City staff for the presentation, and members of the public for their comments, hie stated his understanding of the Supreme Court's ruling on the Grants Pass case as focused specifically on cities' ability to enforce criminal sanctions against unhoused individuals for sleeping in public, and whether that violates the U.S. Constitution.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry regarding enforcement of the City's anti-camping ordinance, City Attorney Bagneris noted that enforcement is left to the responding Police Officers' discretion to determine if the individual is obstructing a public right-of-way. Chief Assistant City Prosecutor Wellman reported that violations of the City's ordinance depend on where the individual is sleeping (i.e. municipal areas, nonpublic places), and also clarified that the City Prosecutor Division would only take enforcement actions if a citation was issued by the Police Department. City Attorney Bagneris further clarified that the City's anti-camping ordinance does not describe what constitutes an obstruction of a sidewalk, and it would be up to responding Police Officers to determine the facts in each instance.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry regarding the various ways an officer may respond to a situation of an unhoused individual sleeping in public, Commander Grisafe stated that responding officers may wake up the individual and ask them to move along, issue a citation, or connect the individual to PORT or HOPE services. Chief Assistant City Prosecutor Wellman reported that the fine for such citations is $0 and is primarily used for filing purposes to connect such individuals to homeless services. Police Chief Harris also confirmed that the City does not place unsheltered individuals on trains, nor send them to other cities. He noted that individuals may get off of the train in Pasadena and end up staying in the City.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry regarding additional recommendations from City staff for Council's consideration, City Manager Marquez noted that the importance of the presentation was to inform the City Council of the Grants Pass decision, and provide context to the challenges and complexity of governing such matters.
In response to Councilmember Masuda's inquiry regarding Los Angeles County Measure A, Housing Director Huang reported that if the Measure passes during the November 2024 election, it will essentially ensure continuation of funding for homeless services and provide additional funds for capital development to build more housing.
Council Minutes609/09/2024
In response to Councilmember Jones' inquiry regarding motel vouchers and receiving additional services, Housing Director Huang reported that once an unhoused individual receives a voucher, they temporarily obtain a safe and set location that allows them to be connected to supportive services, as well as potentially accessing permanent housing. Councilmember Jones advocated for increased funding to expand the PORT team.
Discussion ensued regarding funding for outreach services, ongoing permanent supportive housing projects, interim housing projects, staffing challenges, continued collaboration with the County of Los Angeles, and expansion of the PORT team.
In response to Councilmember Rivas' inquiry regarding enforcement of the City's after-hours park ordinance, Commander Grisafe reported that after 10:00 p.m., Park Safety Specialists will have the public vacate the park. He noted that they may issue warnings or citations to those who do not leave, when necessary. He also noted that similar to enforcement of the anti-camping ordinance, citations are then filed with the City Prosecutor's Division and unhoused individuals are connected to homeless services.
In response to Councilmember Rivas' inquiry regarding what further enforcement would mean for homeless services providers, representatives from Union Station Homeless Services, Door of Hope, and Friends-ln-Deed emphasized that further criminalization of unhoused individuals could increase trauma, lead to distrust of law enforcement, and hinder progress made by outreach service workers.
Councilmember Williams expressed support for the Homeless Court program, to connect unhoused individuals with services that they need, and also supported a "care first" enforcement approach.
Vice Mayor Madison expressed concerns regarding the duality of the homelessness crisis, noting that businesses that close due to direct impacts of the homelessness crisis, would cause resulting economic activity to decline, and consequently impact City resources to fund homeless services. He advocated for more permanent supportive housing, having additional safety personnel at the Metro Light Rail stops within the City, and funding and implementing a fourth HOPE team to increase homeless outreach sen/ices.
City Attorney Bagneris reported on the process to establish a Homeless Court program, noting that the Los Angeles County Superior Courthouse in Pasadena is supportive of allowing the City to utilize courtrooms, but stated that funding and sen/ices would come from the City.
Council Minutes709/09/2024
Councilmember Hampton
left the meeting at 9:43
p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Councilmember Hampton expressed his support for a Homeless Court program, and suggested that the item be further discussed by the Public Safety Committee.
Mayor Gordo emphasized the need to coordinate regionally, with the City and County of Los Angeles, and with the 31 other cities in the San Gabriel Valley, in addition to increasing comprehensive mental health resources and substance disorder services on a regional basis.
Following discussion, on the order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the information was received and filed.
On^er of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjourn^d/pt 9:49 p.m.
Vl4.
ATTEST:
Victor M. Gordo, Mayi
City of Pasadena
k e Cft^
Council Minutes809/09/2024