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CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
September 16, 2024 - 5:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Teleconference Location:
Hyatt Regency Mexico City
Business Center
Campos Eliseos No. 204
Polanco Chapultepec, Mexico City, MEX, 11560
OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
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ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. (Absent:
None)
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 5:01 p.m. to discuss the following closed session item:
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Location: 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA 91103 Agency Negotiator: Marquez, Miguel
Negotiating Party: Vie Nol, Director, Venue Cities Relations, Los Angeles Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games 2028
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of Payment
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
Regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: City of Pasadena v. First Student Inc., et al.
Case No.: LASC 22STCV24392
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Location: 217 S. Marengo Ave, #102 Pasadena, CA 91101 Agency Negotiator: Marquez, Miguel
Negotiating Party: Julie Hung
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of Payment
The above closed session items were discussed, with no reportable action at this time.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting reconvened at 6:08 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Hampton. (Absent: None)
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Steve Madison (via teleconference)
Councilmember Tyron Hampton
Council Minutes109/16/2024
Staff:
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
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SPECIAL ITEM
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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 issued a proclamation declaring the month of October 2024 as First Tee - Greater Pasadena Month, and expressed his gratitude to First Tee - Greater Pasadena for enhancing the lives of the youth through golf, promoting character development and core values.
Sally Yeh Wong, First Tee Board Member, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the organization and thanked the City Council for the recognition and their support.
Vice Mayor Madison requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Judge Haley J. Fromholz, longtime Pasadena resident, and spoke on Judge Fromholz's career accomplishments, impact on Pasadena, and his passion for education and the rule of law.
PRESENTATION FROM PASADENA CITY STAFF ON THE
IMPACTS ON POWER DISTRIBUTION AND THE CITY'S
RESPONSE DURING THE RECENT EXCESSIVE HEAT EVENT
David Reyes, Acting General Manager, provided introductory remarks, and introduced Stacie Takeguchi, Assistant General Manager, who presented a Powerpoint presentation on the recent power outages that occurred throughout the City due to the recent extreme heat event. She provided information on the City's powerplant, generators, and backup plans for emergency preparedness, and reported on the City staff's ability to work to restore power to residents in a quick and efficient manner, and responded to questions.
In response to Councilmember Jones' inquiry regarding the issuance of a Flex Alert, Jen Guess Mayo, Assistant General Manager, provided details on the Flex Alert process, which is controlled by the California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO). Acting General Manager Reyes reported that the City's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) was not activated during the excessive heat event but the Department's internal EOC was activated. Councilmember Jones thanked staff for their hard work and also suggested communicating important updates/alerts in other languages.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry regarding the rotating outages, Assistant General Manager Takeguchi, reported that protocol calls for conducting rolling blackouts on a tiered basis.
Council Minutes209/16/2024
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
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Councilmember Lyon thanked City staff for communicating with the public quickly, and also suggested adding information regarding cooling center locations in the City as part of extreme heat event alerts.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's questions regarding the impacts of rolling blackouts on skilled nursing facilities and community members will life-sustaining electrical devices, Varoojan Avedian, Assistant General Manager, stated that skilled nursing facilities are generally excluded from rolling blackouts as tier three facilities, for safety reasons, and households with life-sustaining devices are tracked by the Water and Power Department as tier two locations to lessen possible rolling blackouts. He also shared that the Department has utilized bill inserts, social media posts, and emails to remind residents to register their life-sustaining devices. Councilmember Hampton also suggested activating Dial-A-Ride services to help transport residents to cooling centers during extreme heat events.
Vice Mayor Madison suggested providing direct updates to the City Council and their District liaisons, and to better utilize them as a resource to inform residents of urgent matters.
Lauren Siegel, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City Council to address extreme heat protocols for other departments that may have workers out in the field and suggested that the Public Health department release a report on the impacts of extreme weather on health.
Sam Berndt, Pasadena resident, spoke on the shortfalls of natural gas generation during heat waves and advocated for alternative internal energy technologies.
Following discussion, on the order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the presentation was received and filed.
Alien Shay, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City Council to place a measure on the ballot related to policy oversight.
Olden Denham, Pasadena resident, advocated for changes to the City Charter to increase City Council oversight and accountability for Pasadena Police Officers.
Alieka Monet Marcos, Pasadena resident, expressed frustrations regarding Centennial Place, her interactions with Police Officers, and provided other various comments.
Guy Todd, Pasadena resident, requested City assistance with his Section 8 housing voucher.
Sneferu Hines, Pasadena resident, requested a meeting with the Mayor, and provided other various comments.
Council Minutes309/16/2024
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
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AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A FIVE-YEAR
CONTRACT WITH ALBERTO PEREZ DBA WET VIEWS TO
PROVIDE POOL MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT TWO CITY POOLS
FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $804,939 (PROS Dept.)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO CONTRACTS
WITH ZENNER USA INC., THIRKETTLE CORPORATION DBA
AQUA-METRIC SALES COMPANY, AND FERGUSON
ENTERPRISES, LLC., DBA FERGUSON WATERWORKS TO
FURNISH AND DELIVER WATER METERS FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT
NOT-TO-EXCEED $2,928,110 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 subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA and State CEQA Guidelines Sections 15060(c) and 15378, and as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract, as the result of the competitive selection process, as specified by Section 4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, with Zenner USA Inc., to furnish and deliver water meters for five years and in an amount not-to-exceed $1,144,206, which includes the base contract amount of $1,040,187 and a contingency of $104,019 to provide necessary change orders.
The contract includes the option for two additional one-year extensions, or an amount not-to-exceed $245,187, whichever occurs first, at the discretion of the City Manager. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) contracts for professional or unique services (Contract No. 33086);
(3) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract as the result of the competitive selection process, as specified by Section 4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, with Thirkettle Corporation dba Aqua- Metric Sales Company to furnish and deliver water meters for five years and in an amount not-to-exceed $440,712, which includes the base contract amount of $400,648 and a contingency of $40,064 to provide necessary change orders. The contract includes the option for two additional one-year extensions, or an amount not-to-exceed $94,438, whichever occurs first, at the discretion of the City Manager.
Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) contracts for professional or unique services (Contract No. 33085); and
(4) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract as the result of the competitive selection process, as specified by Section 4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, with Ferguson Enterprises, LLC dba Ferguson Waterworks to furnish and deliver water meters for five years and in an amount not-to-exceed $1,343,192, which includes the base contract amount of $1,222,084 and a contingency of $122,108 to provide necessary change orders. The contract includes the option for two additional one-year extensions, or an amount not-to-exceed $287,827, whichever occurs first, at the discretion of the City Manager.
Council Minutes409/16/2024
Item discussed separately
City Council
RESIGNATIONS,
APPOINTMENTS, &
REAPPOINTMENTS
Advisory Bodies
Item discussed separately
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
MOTION:
Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) contracts for professional or unique services. (Contract No.33084)
APPROVE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENTS WITH THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FOR THE CITY'S ACQUISITION OF SEVENTEEN (17) PROPERTIES LOCATED IN THE STATE ROUTE 710 RIGHT-OF-WAY IN
PASADENA (Housing Dept.)
FINANCE COMMITTEE: QUARTERLY INVESTMENT REPORT -
QUARTER ENDING JUNE 30, 2024 (Finance Dept.)
Recommendation: The agenda report is provided for information only; no action is required at this time.
FINANCE COMMITTEE: AMENDMENTSTOTHE FIRE
DEPARTMENT'S AND PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S FISCAL
YEAR 2025 ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGETS (Fire 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 State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b);
(2) Amend the Public Health Department and the Fire Department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Operating Budget as detailed in the agenda report by increasing revenues and appropriations by $955,080. (Budget Amendment No. 2025-06)
RESIGNATION OF MICHAEL OCON FROM THE PASADENA
COMMUNITY ACCESS CORPORATION BOARD (District 5
Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF LIZ SCHILLER TO THE ACCESSIBILITY AND
DISABILITY COMMISSION (District 5 Nomination)
DISPLACEMENT EVENT FINDINGS FOR FOUR CONCERTS IN
2025 (RBOC)
Claim No. Claimant
2025-0036 AT&T
2025-0037 CONNECT/Norma Gaona
2025-0038 Mercury Insurance Company
a/s/o Evan Atrsowsky
2025-0039 Abbigail Kaniel
Claim Amount
$4,334.08
Not stated
2,576.48
35,000.00+
It was moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by
Councilmember Masuda, to approve the Consent Calendar, except for Items 1 (POOL MAINTENANCE SERVICES), 3 (ACQUISITION OF
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CONSENT ITEMS
DISCUSSED
SEPARATELY
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Advisory Bodies
710 FWY PROPERTIES), and 7 (ROSE BOWL DISPLACEMENT
EVENTS), which were discussed separately.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda,
Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A FIVE-YEAR
CONTRACT WITH ALBERTO PEREZ DBA WET VIEWS TO
PROVIDE POOL MAINTENANCE SERVICES AT TWO CITY POOLS
FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $804,939 (PROS Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is covered by the "Common Sense" exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and
(2) Award contract to lowest and best bid dated May 11, 2024 submitted by Alberto Perez dba Wet Views in response to the project plans and specifications for furnishing and delivering swimming pool maintenance and services, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a five-year contract for an amount not-to-exceed $804,939 which includes the base contract amount of $731,763 and a contingency of $73,176 to provide for any change orders. (Contract No. 33064) In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiries regarding the bids for the pool maintenance contract, Koko Panossian, Director of Parks Recreation, and Community Services, reported that only two proposals were received in response to the bid, and stated that City staff will connect with Pasadena City College and Pasadena Unified School District to determine if opporiiunities exist to jointly bid on contracts for routine services as a possible cost saving measure.
DISPLACEMENT EVENT FINDINGS FOR FOUR CONCERTS IN
2025 (RBOC)
Recommendation: The Board of Directors of the Rose Bowl Operating Company recommends that 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 are required by Pasadena Municipal Code Section 3.32.270.A for the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th displacement events for 2025.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's concerns related to amplified sound, Jens Weiden, Rose Bowl General Manager/CEO, reported that the Rose Bowl team does have sound monitoring systems to measure feedback for all Rose Bowl events.
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MOTION:
ORDINANCES - FIRST
READING
APPROVE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENTS WITH THE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FOR THE CITY'S ACQUISITION OF SEVENTEEN (17) PROPERTIES LOCATED IN THE STATE ROUTE 710 RIGHT-OF-WAY IN
PASADENA (Housing Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061(b)(3) "Common Sense" exemption; and (2) Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to execute purchase and sale agreements, Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, and any amendments thereto, between the State of California, Department of Transportation and the City of Pasadena for the purchase of seventeen (17) real properties in the City of Pasadena for an amount not-to-exceed $976,140 plus closing costs.
Alien Shay, Pasadena resident, expressed confusion with the written staff report and requested clarification on the item.
In response to public comment, Councilmember Hampton reported that the Caltrans properties are owned by the State, and are separate from the 710 FWY stub properties. City Manager Marquez further added that the State Senate bill authored by Senator Portantino allows for the City to purchase these homes at cost, resell them, and utilize proceeds to reinvest them in affordable housing.
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by Vice Mayor Madison, to approve Items 1, 3, and 7, on the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda, Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Conduct first reading of "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AMENDING TITLE 3, CHAPTER 3.32, SECTION
3.32.270A OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO DELEGATE
THE MAKING OF FINDINGS FOR DISPLACEMENT EVENTS TO
THE ROSE BOWL OPERATING COMPANY BOARD OF
DIRECTORS"
City Clerk Jomsky reported that 1 letter in opposition to the proposed ordinance and providing various comments on the matter was received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record for the item.
City Attorney Bagneris reported that in response to written public comment, a minor revision was made to Paragraph A of proposed ordinance, clarifying that in the event more than 25 displacement Council Minutes709/16/2024
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events are sought in any fiscal year, the Rose Bowl Operating Company (RBOC) would require permission from the City Council, with the appropriate findings needed. City Attorney Bagneris also noted that the change from calendar year to fiscal year ensures consistency, given that the RBOC operates on a fiscal year rather than calendar year.
Nina Chomsky, Linda Vista Annandale Association, thanked City staff for making corrections to the ordinance; she expressed concerns with the change in language from "calendar year" to "fiscal year" since the public may not be familiar with the term.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiry regarding the change to fiscal year, Rose Bowl General Manager Weiden reported that the change to "fiscal year" is to prevent confusion from a financial standpoint, since events are approved fiscally, allowing for them to tied to the budget approved by the City Council.
Discussion ensued regarding the change from "calendar year" to "fiscal year" and how to avoid public confusion.
Vice Mayor Madison suggested adding fiscal year dates to the ordinance to increase public awareness regarding the term applied to the 25 displacement events.
City Manager Marquez also noted that maintaining the fiscal year provisions would further benefit and facilitate the quarterly fiscal reporting/reviews of the Rose Bowl's performance.
Following discussion, City Attorney Bagneris proposed amending the ordinance by inserting "(July 1 through June 30 of the following year)" after the term "fiscal year" in Paragraph A.
The ordinance above was introduced by Councilmember Hampton, as detailed and amended above:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda,
Rivas, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES: Councilmember Williams
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Conduct first reading of "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AMENDING TITLE 4, CHAPTER 4.08 OF THE
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE, THE PURCHASING ORDINANCE,
TO ADOPT PROCEDURES FOR USE OF ALTERNATIVE PROJECT
DELIVERY METHODS"
City Attorney Bagneris and Caroline Monroy, Deputy City Attorney, explained how the proposed ordinance was slightly modified from the Council's original direction (to utilize alternative project delivery methods only for projects over the $1,000,000 threshold), noting that Council Minutes809/16/2024
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certain projects under the $1 ,000,000 threshold may be well-suited for alternative project delivery methods as well.
City Attorney Bagneris stated that in addition to suitable projects over the $1,000,000 threshold, the proposed ordinance also allows for projects under the $1,000,000 threshold to be considered for alternative project delivery methods, if authorized by the City Manager and approved by the City Council.
The ordinance above was offered by Councilmember Hampton:
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Masuda,
Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor Madison, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN:None
Conduct first reading of "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AMENDING TITLE 9, ARTICLE IX OF THE PASADENA
MUNICIPAL CODE BY ADDING A NEW CHAPTER 9.85 TO
ESTABLISH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTION LIMITS"
City Clerk Jomsky reported that 31 letters, advocating for the City to establish reasonable campaign contribution limits for the Mayor and City Councilmembers and providing various comments on the matter, 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.
In response to Councilmember Rivas' inquiry regarding the definition of a "person" making contributions, City Attorney Bagneris and Councilmember Lyon noted that the municipal code defines the term "person" to include natural persons and other entities.
In response to Councilmember Rivas' inquiry regarding the responsibility of notifying candidates to return excess contributions, City Attorney Bagneris noted that the responsibility would fall under the City Clerk.
In response to Councilmember Jones' inquiry regarding the trigger for self-funding, City Attorney Bagneris reported that the matter could be referred to a Council Committee, the Council could reconstitute the Charter Study Task Force to study further, or another task force could be created to review the matter.
In response to Vice Mayor Madison's inquiry regarding additional review or changes to the proposed ordinance subject to the City Charter provisions, City Attorney Bagneris noted that the ordinance can be reviewed until the election results are certified.
Council Minutes909/16/2024
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
The following individuals spoke in support of campaign contribution limits and/or provided various comments:
Ellen Finkelpearl, Pasadena resident
David Serri, Pasadena resident
Joe Feinblatt, Pasadena resident
Hans Johnson and Kathy Patterson,
Democrats
Carl Sulkin, Pasadena resident
East Area Progressive
Councilmember Lyon expressed support for disincentivizing self- funded campaigns, however, he noted that consideration of triggers that would remove campaign contribution limits in certain instances could face legal complexities and hurdles pertaining to First Amendment laws, and stated his support for the proposed ordinance as a written to restore confidence in elections.
The ordinance above was introduced by Councilmember Williams:
AYES: Councilmembers Lyon, Rivas, Williams, Vice Mayor
Madison
NOES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Masuda, Mayor
Gordo
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION FAILED
Councilmember Hampton and Mayor Gordo requested for City staff to invite PUSD staff to discuss the implications of their proposed development on a PUSD site and their ballot measures.
On order of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjourned at 8:31 p.m. in memory of the Honorable Judge Haley J.
Fromholfcl
/l^A.
Victor M. Gorao, May
City of Pasadena
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