r
OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
C\J\ OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
September 30 2024 - 5:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. (Absent:
Councilmember Hampton)
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 5:45 p.m. to discuss the following closed session item:
CITY COUNCIL CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE REGARDING
PUBLIC EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION pursuant to
Government Code Section 54957 and CITY COUNCIL
CONFERENCE with Labor
Negotiator pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Employee Title and Unrepresented Employee: City Manager City Representative: Victor M. Gordo
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL regarding
significant exposure to litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2) (two potential cases)
The above closed session items were discussed, with no reportable action at this time. Mayor Gordo reported that only one of the two potential cases for Closed Session Item B were discussed.
City Attorney Bagneris reported that Councilmember Hampton is participating remotely under the Just Cause provision of the California Government Code.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting reconvened at 6:56 p.m.
The pledge of allegiance was led by Vice Mayor Madison. (Absent:
None)
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Steve Madison
Councilmember Tyron Hampton (via teleconference)
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
Councilmember Hampton noted that no one under the age of 18 years of age was present with him at his remote location.
Council Minutes109/30/2024
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
SPECIAL ITEM
u
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation declaring October 2024 as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, highlighted the importance of people with disabilities as vital parts of the community and he reaffirmed the City's commitment to inclusion and ensuring that City programs and employment practices effectively serve and benefit persons of all abilities. Marina Ovanessian, Acting Accessibility Coordinator, Valarie Struski, Vice Chair of the Accessibility and Disability Commission, and Chris Otera, Civitan President, thanked the City Council for the recognition and spoke on the significance of employment opportunities for those with all abilities, and the importance of inclusive workplaces to promote diversity and empowerment.
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation declaring October 2024 as Walktober and Pedestrian Safety Month, noting the benefits of walking as an active mode of transportation and the need for community safety and vigilance in maintaining pedestrian safety on the road. Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, Colin Bogart, Day One, and Tom Priestley, Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, thanked the City Council for the recognition and invited the Council and community members to participate in Walktober events occurring throughout the month, with various opportunities to explore the City on foot.
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation declaring October 2024 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and reaffirmed the City's commitment to providing a community where no individual suffers the pain and hardships caused by the domestic violence. The Mayor thanked the City Prosecutor's Office for its efforts and advocacy on behalf of victims and working with local domestic violence service providers to prevent further abuses. City Attorney Bagneris accepted the proclamation on behalf of the community, introduced Jenna Monteilh, the City's newly hired Victim Witness Advocate, and thanked the City Council for authorizing this important position tasked with working on domestic violence cases. Tunisia Offray, Shepard's Door, also thanked the City Council for recognizing this important issue, the need to help victims recover and thrive, and spoke on how intervention and rehabilitation efforts create safer communities.
INFORMATIONAL PRESENTATION AND UPDATE ON THE CITY
OF PASADENA'S RESIDENTIAL ORGANICS RECYCLING
PROGRAM
Kris Markarian, Acting Public Works Director, provided introductory remarks on the item, and introduced Thanos Gauthier, Public Works Administrator, who presented information as part of a Powerpoint presentation on the City's Residential Organics Recycling program, providing background information on Senate Bill 1383, residential organic waste collection, secured CalRecycle grants, compliance and enforcement efforts currently and upcoming, and community outreach/education efforts, and responded to questions.
Council Minutes209/30/2024
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PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
Councilmember Hampton
left the meeting at 7:52
p.m. due to technical
difficulties with his remote
access.
In response to Councilmember Williams' inquiry regarding potentially eliminating the plastic bags used for securing organic scraps, Public Works Administrator Gauthier stated that after further research, allowing the usage of plastic bags to secure and hold organic waste encourages more people to participate in the organics recycling program, and also reported that CalRecycle works directly with school districts on their recycling programs.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiry regarding the use of biodegradable bags, Public Works Administrator Gauthier stated that biodegradable bags are not accepted at the City's compost facility due to possible contamination caused by these types of bags, and also the premature disintegration of the bags limiting their usefulness in the separation process.
Following discussion, on the order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the presentation was received and filed.
Deborah Tannenbaum, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns that the affordable housing project on Oak Knoll could create more traffic and safety hazards near Mckinley School, and advocated for speedbumps or signage to encourage drivers to slow down.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
WITH THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN THE AMOUNT OF $298,830
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;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the City of Los Angeles in the amount of $298,830 to provide Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)-funded rental assistance (Contract No. 24,130); and
(3) Authorize the City Manager to execute, and the City Clerk to attest, all related documents, agreements, and amendments.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
WITH THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES FOR MEASURE H
FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,324,440 FOR HOMELESS
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 Section 15061 (b)(3), the "Common Sense" provision that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
Council Minutes309/30/2024
Item discussed separately
Item discussed separately
City Clerk/ Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
MOTION:
CONSENT ITEMS
DISCUSSED
SEPARATELY
L
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with the County of Los Angeles for the receipt of Measure H funding in the amount of $1,324,440 to provide homelessness prevention, time-limited subsidies, housing navigation and location, and emergency shelter programs in the City of Pasadena (Contract No. 24,130); (3) Authorize the City Manager to execute an amendment to the subject contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000, subject to the availability of FY 2026 Measure H funds, for the continued provision of homeless services;
(4) Authorize the City Manager to execute one additional amendment to the subject contract with a not-to-exceed amount of $1,500,000, subject to the availability of FY 2027 Measure H funds for the continued provision of homeless services; and
(5) Authorize the City Manager to approve no-cost extension amendments to the subject contract which extend the term beyond June 30, 2027.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE SALARIES OF FIVE
EXISTING CLASSIFICATIONS (Human Resources Dept.)
ADOPT A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE SALARIES OF TWO
EXISTING CLASSIFICATIONS (Human Resources Dept.)
July 22, 2024
July 22, 2024
July 24, 2024
Claim No. Claimant
2025-0044 Jose Manuel Verdejo Ruiz
2025-0045 Jose Alejandrino
2025-0046 Santanu Wishan Fernanda
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community
Development Commission
City Council Special Meeting
Claim Amount
$35,000.00-
35,000.00+
10,000.00+
It was moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by
Councilmember Lyon, to approve Consent Calendar, except for Item 3 (UPDATING SALARIES OF FIVE EXISTING CLASSIFICATIONS) and Item 4 (UPDATING SALARIES OF TWO EXISTING
CLASSIFICATIONS), discussed separately. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
ADOPT A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE SALARIES OF FIVE
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 Updating the Salaries of Five Existing Classifications. (Resolution No. 10089)
Council Minutes409/30/2024
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MOTION:
Mayor Gordo stated a
conflict of interest,
recused himself from
consideration of the item,
and left the meeting at
8:00 p.m.
MOTION:
PUBLIC HEARING
Mayor Gordo returned to
the dais 8:01 p.m.
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve Consent Calendar Item 3. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
ADOPT A RESOLUTION UPDATING THE SALARIES OF TWO
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 Updating the Salaries of Two Existing Classifications. (Resolution No. 10090)
It was moved by Councilmember Williams, seconded by
Councilmember Rivas, to approve Consent Calendar Item 4. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton, Mayor Gordo)
ZONING CODE AMENDMENTS RELATED TO THE ADAPTIVE
REUSE OF EXISTING NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING
CHANGES RELATED TO PARKING AND VARIANCES FOR
HISTORIC RESOURCES (Planning Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the Addendum to the 2015 Pasadena General Plan Environmental Impact Report (State Clearinghouse No. 2013091009) to address the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed amendments have been prepared in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act of 1970 (CEQA) (Cal. Public Resources Code Section 21000, et. seq., as amended) and its implementing guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., Title 14, Section 15000 et. seq., 2016). This Addendum has been prepared and will be processed consistent with CEQA Guidelines (Cal. Code Regs., Title 14, Sections 15162 and 15164). The addendum found that the proposed
amendments will not result in any potentially significant impacts that were not already analyzed;
(2) Adopt the Findings for the Zoning Code Text Amendments (Attachment A of the agenda report); and
(3) Direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance for the Zoning Code Amendments within 90 days consistent with the provisions set forth in the agenda report.
Recommendation of the Planning Commission: On July 10, 2024, the Planning Commission considered the proposed Zoning Code Amendments at a publicly noticed hearing and recommended that the City Council approve the Amendments as presented by staff, with the following changes:
1. Remove the maximum density limits for existing buildings.
However, density limits would apply to new construction with units;
2. Require an average unit size of 450 square feet for projects with 10 or more units. However, 100% affordable housing projects would be exempt;
Council Minutes509/30/2024
n
MOTION:
3. Reduce parking requirements when on-site car/vehicle sharing is provided; and
4. Reduce open space requirements for properties in proximity to public parks.
The Planning Commission made two additional recommendations that the City Council direct staff to study at a future time:
1. Whether adaptive reuse to housing should be allowed in zones that do not currently allow housing (e.g., Industrial General and Commercial General zones); and
2. Financial incentives to facilitate adaptive reuse projects.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that the public hearing notice was published on September 16, 23, and 26, 2024 in the Pasadena Press, and that 3 letters in support of the adaptive reuse concept and the proposed staff recommendations, including comments advocating for financial incentives to support the proposed ordinance and expanding the scope of beyond residential uses, 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.
Jennifer Paige, Planning Director, provided introductory remarks on the item and introduced Melanie Hall, Planner, who presented a Powerpoint Presentation on adaptive reuse of existing non-residential buildings, and responded to questions.
In response to Vice Mayor Madison's inquiry regarding instances in which the proposed amendments would not apply, Planning Director Paige stated that a building must have a certificate of occupancy for at least 5 years before becoming eligible for the adaptive reuse. She also noted that the residential impact fees, affordable housing requirements, inclusionary requirements, etc., will still apply upon conversion.
Amanda Elioff, Pasadena resident, expressed support for the proposed adaptive reuse ordinance, but noted her concerns regarding the need for setbacks that are sensitive and compatible with adjacent neighbors.
Ana Soutriver, residence not stated, expressed concerns that developers face significant financial costs when converting buildings, and advocated for the City to leverage financial tools to stimulate adaptive reuse and sustainable development.
Elliot Gabay, West Hollywood resident, advocated to expand the adaptive reuse amendments beyond the scope of residential uses only.
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to close the public hearing. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
Council Minutes609/30/2024
MOTION:
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
Cit^-Clerl^
Councilmember Williams advocated for City staff to explore inclusionary changes to make adaptive reuse projects more feasible and to further explore the issues related to financial incentives.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Williams, to approve the staff recommendation, incorporating all of the additional Planning Commission recommendations, amended to further explore financial incentives. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton) Councilmember Lyon requested that California State Proposition 3 be agendized for discussion at the next City Council meeting.
City Clerk Jomsky announced that the regular City Council meetings on October 7, 2024 and October 14, 2024 will be cancelled.
On ^r3lpr of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjourned gt 8:26 p.m.
M
Victor M. Gordo, Mayor
City of Pasadena
Council Minutes709/30/2024