OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember Jones arrived
at 4:36 p.m.
CITY OF PASADENA
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER - S249
OCTOBER 8, 2024
MEETING
The Chair called the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee to order at 4:15 p.m.
Councilmember Felicia Williams, Chair
Councilmember Tyron Hampton
Councilmember Justin Jones (arrived at 4:36 p.m.)
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Reyes, Acting General Manager of Water and Power
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation
Jen Guess Mayo, Customer Relations Manager
Dulce Gomez, Assistant Parking Manager
Lisa Hosey, Assistant City Attorney
Sandra Robles, Recording Secretary
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve the minutes of August 27, 2024, as submitted. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Jones)
AN ORDINANCE AIWENDING PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE
CHAPTER 13.04 TO INCREASE ELECTRIC UTILITY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM MONTHLY BENEFITS AND RELATED CHANGES
David Reyes, Acting General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments, and Gordon Algermissen, Customer Program Manager, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the Electric Utility Assistance Program (EUAP) and other City utility assistance programs, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Hampton expressed concerns on the amount of assistance provided and its sufficiency; and advocated for staff to proactively reach out to customers who are in arrearages to inform them of the various assistance programs. He asked staff to provide information on surrounding jurisdictions customer assistance programs, including the amount of assistance provided, and a breakdown of the dollar amount in order to provide comparable information to that of the City of Pasadena. In addition, he asked staff to provide information on the number of utility customers who are currently on payment plans.
Councilmember Lyon agreed the rate of assistance should change with rate increases to match the fixed charge rate components of the Customer and Grid Access charges; and asked staff to ensure residents were made aware of the assistance programs through the call center and various City outreach events.
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Jen Guess Mayo, Customer Relations Manager, provided information on the Department's strong relationship with the Call Center staff, who are trained in providing information on the different customer assistance programs, and responded to questions.
Chair Williams asked staff to provide a pie chart with information on the Public Benefit Charge (PBC) (i.e., how the funds are allocated, the availability of the funds) in order to provide a better understanding of the funding limitations.
The following individuals provided comments on the matter:
Cynthia Cannady, representing Pasadena 100
Genette Foster, Pasadena Resident
Claudia Funke, Pasadena Resident
Sam Berndt, representing Pasadena 100
Donna Sider, representing Pasadena 100
The Recording Secretary reported that one letter of correspondence was received by the City Clerk's Office, which was distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the public record.
Councilmember Jones articulated concerns related to residents who do not qualify for the City's EUAP and other assistance programs but are equally burdened with the high cost of utilities and other expenses; and advocated for staff to create an income guideline more responsive to the needs and expenses of Pasadena residents, hie asked staff to provide information on the number of calls received by the City's Call Center that are related to utility assistance or bill extensions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Jones, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve the staff recommendation with direction to staff to return to the committee with additional proposals for the EUAP and the information requested as detailed above. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
APPROVAL OF A PILOT PROGRAM TO ALLOW PERSONAL
DELIVERY DEVICES TO OPERATE ON CITY SIDEWALKS AND
PEDESTRIAN PATHS
Chair Williams announced that this item will not be considered and will be agendized at a future Committee meeting.
AMEND THE RflUNICIPAL CODE TO ADOPT AN UPDATED METER
RATE STRUCTURE FOR THE SOUTH LAKE PARKING METER
ZONE, AND TO APPROVE A NEW RATE STRUCTURE FOR THE
SHOPPER'S LANE PARKING LOTS
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, provided introductory comments, and Dulce Gomez, Assistant Parking Manager, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on escalating parking meter rates and occupancy-based lot rates, and responded to questions.
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MOTION:
INFORMATION ONLY
03 Councilmember Hampton asked staff to work with the South Lake Avenue businesses to determine the number of parking spaces need for their staff and to provide affordable parking for their staff. He expressed concerns that the proposed rate change would result in employees of the south lake businesses parking in the surrounding residential areas in order to avoid paying for parking. In addition, Councilmember Hampton advocated for designated short-term parking for food delivery workers.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve the staff recommendation. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AND RETURN WITH
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 10.40.140 (STANDING IN
ALLEYS) OF THE PASADENA IWUNICIPAL CODE TO PROVIDE
LANGUAGE ALLOWING FOR ADDITIONAL PARKING
RESTRICTIONS IN ALLEYS
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, provided introductory comments, and Dulce Gomez, Assistant Parking Manager, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, and responded to questions.
Councilmembers Jones and Hampton expressed concerns with the proposed ordinance, and how it will negatively impact food delivery drivers.
Councilmember Hampton expressed traffic congestion concerns with Colorado Boulevard changing from two lanes to one lane. He stated that he believes additional work (i.e. consider traffic on Colorado Blvd., consideration of impacts to food delivery drivers) by staff should be completed before he can support the staff recommendations.
Councilmember Jones asked staff to provide information on the number of double-parking citations issued in residential areas, including a map of the locations throughout the City where the citations were issued.
Councilmember Lyson stated his support for the staff recommendation as he believes the proposed ordinance is limited to locations where there are issues with the blocking of alleyways and creating a potential hazard.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Jones, to approve the staff recommendation.
AYES: Councilmembers Jones, Lyon, Chair Williams
NOES: Councilmember Hampton
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
(Motion passed)
RECEIVE ANNUAL REPORTS FOR FISCAL YEAR JULY 2023
THROUGH JUNE 2024 AND WORK PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR
2024-2025 FOR:
a. DESIGN COMHfllSSION
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n
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
^
^Eliz^beth Ashikyan
Recording Secretary
b. HAHAMONGNA WATERSHED PARK ADVISORY COMMITTEE
c. HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
d. HUIVIAN SERVICES COMMISSION
e. LIBRARY COIVIMISSION
f. PLANNING COMMISSION
On the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee was adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
/
Coun9t1memb6j^d^tin Jones, Chair
Municipal Se^fc^s Committee
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