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CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
January 13, 2025-4:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
SPECIAL MEETING
Pursuant to the Declaration of Local Emergency - Windstorms and Fires issued on January 8, 2025 the meeting was convened and held virtually by videoconference/teleconference.
OPENING:
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
SPECIAL ITEM
MOTION:
Mayor Gordo called the special meeting to order at 4:03 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Hampton. (Absent:
None)
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Councilmember Rick Cole
Coundlmember Tyron Hampton
CouncilmemberJustin Jones
Councilmember Jason Lyon
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas
City Manager Miguel Marquez
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
FINDINGS TO AUTHORIZE A REMOTE MEETING ON JANUARY
13, 2025 PURSUANT TO THE BROWN ACT (Office of the City
Attorney)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21065 and within the meaning ofCEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b);
(2) Find that the Director of Disaster Emergency Services issued a Declaration of a Local Emergency - Windstorms and Fires on January 8,2025;and
(3) In accordance with Government Code section 54953(e)(1), find that as a result of the ongoing emergency, meeting in person at the January 13, 2025, City Council Special Meeting would present imminent risks to the health or safety of attendees.
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by
Councilmember Jones, to approve the staff recommendation.
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Lyon,
Madison, Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Council Minutes101/13/2025
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MOTION:
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ ExecutiveDirector
City Council
RESIGNATIONS,
APPOINTMENTS, &REAPPOINTMENTS
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THECITY OF PASADENA RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER'SDECLARATION OF LOCAL EMERGENCY - WINDSTORMS ANDFIRES (Office of the City Manager) Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:(1) Find that the proposed action in the agenda report is exemptfrom the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant tostate CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) "Common Sense"exemption; and (2) Adopt a Resolution ratifying the January 8, 2025, City ManagerDeclaration of a Local Emergency - Windstorms and Fires.(Resolution No. 10109) It was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded byCouncilmember Jones, to approve the staff recommendation.
AYES: Councitmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Lyon,Madison, Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor GordoNOES: None ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO ACONTRACT WITH IMPEX TECHNOLOGIES INC., FORREPLACEMENT OF NUTANIX SERVER EQUIPMENT IN ANAMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $754,733 (DolT)Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:(1) Find that the recommended actions in the agenda report areexempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA")pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the"Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects thatmay have an effect on the environment; (2) Award contract to the lowest and best bid dated November 11,2024 by Impex Technologies Inc. (Impex), in response tospecifications for Lifecycle Hardware Replacement, and authorizethe City Manager to enter into a contract for an amount not-to-exceed$754,733 (P.O per staff); and (3) Authorize the City Manager to approve no-cost amendments tothe subject contract, including durational extensions.
APPOINTMENT OF VICTOR M. GORDO TO THE BURBANK-GLENDALE-PASADENA AIRPORT AUTHORITY THROUGH MAY31, 2025 (City of Pasadena Nomination) APPOINTMENT OF CY WARREN ESTABROOK TO THEACCESSIBILITY & DISABILITY COMMISSION (MayorNomination) J
Council Minutes201/13/2025
City Clerk/ Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
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APPOINTMENT OF GABRIELA PEREZ TO THE COMMISSION
ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN (District 4 Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF DAVID DiCRISTOFARO TO THE DESIGN
COMMISSION EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 10, 2025 (Transportation
Advisory Commission Nomination)
REAPPOINTMENT OF STEVE MADISON TO THE ROSE BOWL
OPERATING COMPANY BOARD (City Council Nomination)
RESIGNATION OF LILA GUIRGUIS FROM THE HUMAN
SERVICES COMMISSION (Mayor Nomination)
RESIGNATION OF MAX REYES FROM THE NORTHWEST
COMMISSION (District 4 Nomination)
November 18, 2024
November 18, 2024
November 18, 2024
November 25, 2024
November 25, 2024
December 2, 2024
December 2, 2024
December 9, 2024
December 9, 2024
City Council Special
(Cancelled)
City Council
Successor Agency to
Community Development
City Council
Successor Agency to
Community Development
City Council
Successor Agency to
Community Development
City Council
Successor Agency to
Community Development
Closed Meeting
Claim No. Claimant
2025-0116 KeiraMyles
2025-0117 Frankie Parias
2025-0118 Joel Martinez Alvarez
2025-0119 DaleBarnett
2025-0120 Stacie M. De Armas
2025-0121 Dante Lee Harrell
2025-0122 Tania L. Gilbert
2025-0123 CollinsOboh
2025-0124 Mary Anderson Williams
2025-0125 Susan Arebalo
2025-0126 Davit Yakhshibekyan
2025-0127 Marianne Lamutt
2025-0128 Raymond Dilanchyan
2025-0129 Lynda Dianne Kennedy
2025-0130 AnneMolina
2025-0131 WenlinLuo
2025-0132 Alfredo Bojorquez
the Pasadena
Commission
the Pasadena
Commission
the Pasadena
Commission
the Pasadena
Commission
Claim Amount
$10,000.00+
35,000.00+
2,000.00
88.00 99.00
35,000.00+
35,000.00+
7,000.00
5,957.81
35,000.00+
7,465.25
400.00
35,000.00+
2,500.00
10,000.00
818.71
8,500.00
Council Minutes301/13/2025
2025-0133 Stephanie Bechguenturian5,800.00
MOTION:
PUBLIC HEARING
Councilmember Jones
stated a conflict of
interest, recused himself
from the item and left the
meeting at 4:11 p.m.
MOTION:
ORDINANCE - SECOND
READING
Councilmember Jones
returned to the meeting at
4:14 p.m.
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton, seconded by
Councilmember Masuda, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar.
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Lyon,
Madison, Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
FULLER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - MASTER PLAN
AMENDMENT, DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT CANCELLATION,
TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP, AND GENERAL PLAN LAND USE
ZONING MAP AMENDMENTS (Planning Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council cancel the public hearing, which will be noticed again to occur on February 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
It was moved by Councilmember Hampton,
Councilmember Cole, to cancel the public hearing.
seconded by
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Lyon, Madison,
Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Jones
ABSTAIN: None
Adopt "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA
AMENDING TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13.04 OF THE PASADENA
MUNICIPAL CODE, THE LIGHT AND POWER RATE ORDINANCE
TO REMOVE DIRECT ACCESS AND RELATED TARIFFS AND
TO AMEND LONG-TERM CONTRACT PROVISIONS (Ordinance
No. 7441)
The ordinance above was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Lyon,
Madison, Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
UPDATE - CITY RESPONSE TO WINDSTORMS AND FIRES -
CITY MANAGER AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS STAFF
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Consider updates from City staff and provide direction if desired by the City Council; and
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(2) Find that, if direction is given to staff, it would not be a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21065 and within the meaning ofCEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b).
City Manager Marquez provided a brief recap on the windstorm event and the Eaton fire that occurred and began on January 7, 2025. Chad Augustin, Pasadena Fire Chief, gave a Powerpoint presentation on the windstorm and wildfire event timeline, recapped the City's preparation efforts, and gave a status update on the City's ongoing disaster response and emergency operations. Eugene Harris, Pasadena Police Chief, provided an update on the disaster response by the Pasadena Police Dept, noting that the incident command post has been in operation for the entirety of the disaster.
Fire Chief Augustin also reported on the rapid expansion of the fire and the resources gathered to assist firefighting efforts. City Manager Marquez reported that the City is working with numerous agencies (FEMA, Red Cross, Kaiser, etc.) to offer resources and support to victims, and thanked members of the community for coming together to help one another and extended deepest gratitude to all the firefighters and first responders for their service and heroic efforts.
Councilmember Hampton advocated for the City to look into grants to incentivize residents to build ADUs, reduce or waive parking permits, and partner with the Pasadena Rental Housing Board to assist fire victims with securing temporary housing while they are displaced and preparing to rebuild.
David Reyes, Acting General Manager of Water and Power, provided an informational update issues related to water quality in the impacted areas of Pasadena. Stacie Takeguchi, Assistant General Manager, reported on water quality testing efforts, and shared that a large portion of the areas under the Do-Not-Drink advisory have been cleared, noting that City staff is working diligently to restore service to all other areas. Acting General Manager Reyes reported that the City is distributing bottled water during the Do-Not- Drink period, and will continue to do so until drinking water quality is restored to all residents.
Councilmember Jones advocated to have a standing committee item on the next Municipal Services Committee agenda to discuss the recovery and rebuilding efforts for the community. He also suggested having an expedited permitting process that would allow victims to rebuild faster.
Councilmember Cole advocated to have a lengthy City Council discussion with public input and staff recommendations on rebuilding efforts as recovery efforts proceed. He commended the firefighters and first responders for their tremendous efforts.
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In response to Vice Mayor Rivas' inquiry regarding masks and personal protective equipment (PPE), Manuel Carmona, Acting Public Health Director, reported that the City has ordered PPE and will organize distribution for the community once received. In response to Vice Mayor Rivas' inquiry regarding price gouging, Michele Beal Bagneris, City Attorney/City Prosecutor, reported that price gouging during the City's Declaration of Emergency is illegal and that the City's Prosecutor's Office will pursue prosecutions if necessary.
Councilmember Lyon expressed gratitude and commended City staff for their unwavering leadership during the disaster. In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry regarding the clean-up process, Greg de Vinck, Public Works Director, reported that staff is currently working on contracts to hire additional assistance to clear the streets and impacted areas, and noted that the clean-up process may take up to 6 weeks to clear, pulverize, and haul away debris. He reported that a site at Hahamonga Park has opened for residents to drop off their own green waste debris caused by the windstorm and wildfire.
Councilmember Madison expressed gratitude for the heroic efforts of the first responders and the community's efforts to help one another. He advocated for all committees to have discussions on the windstorm and wildfire event, within their own appropriate subject matter, and report back to the full City Council. He also suggested improving communication efforts in the event of another local emergency.
Denise Everhart, representing the American Red Cross, provided an update on the sheltering at the Pasadena Convention Center, commended City staff on the extraordinary efforts to open this shelter and respond so efficiently and effectively to the needs of the community, and reported that the Red Cross will be offering hygiene, mental health, financial assistance, and other disaster recovery resources as well.
Mayor Gordo praised City staffs preparation for the windstorm and the ability to seamlessly transition to the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in response to the windstorm.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that the 14+ letters advocating for a rent freeze and/or establishing an eviction moratorium as a result of the Eaton Fire, and 3 letters urging the City to waive Rent Control provisions to encourage property owners to offer temporary housing to tenants displaced by fires, and other related comments, were received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, and posted online.
Council Minutes601/13/2025
The following individuals advocated for property owners of vacant properties to clean up dead trees, branches, and debris to mitigate fire risk:
Emily Duncan, Pasadena resident
Ashley Sanders, Pasadena resident
The following individuals advocated for a rent freeze, eviction moratorium, and other tenant protections for displaced individuals, and/or provided related comments:
Ryan Bell, Pasadena resident
Brigitte Rooney, Pasadena resident
Swantje Willms, Irvine resident
Ash Riveire, Pasadena resident
Dar Azimi, Pasadena resident
Seanna Morgan, Pasadena resident
Jane Panangaden, Pasadena resident
Joe Caste), Pasadena resident
Anthony Manousous, Pasadena resident
Jo Pimienta, Pasadena resident
Natalia Govoni, Pasadena resident
Dan Huynh, Pasadena resident
Alien Shay, Pasadena resident, requested that the underground utility program of the City be reemphasized to protect against future fire disasters, and the City's water supply be discussed by the City Council.
The following individuals advocated for temporary revisions/waiver of provisions related to Rent Control in the City Charter to allow property owners to provide temporary rental housing for those displaced by the Eaton fire without being subject to relocation assistance at the end of the tenancy:
Anthony Edson, Pasadena resident
Simon Gibbons, Pasadena resident
Christine Lenches-Hinkel, Pasadena resident, advocated for soil stabilization and remediation to ensure proper management of the pulverization of green waste, and for the City to implement preventative measures for possible mudflows.
Nina Chomsky, Pasadena resident, expressed safety concerns and inquired about implementing a curfew for areas under evacuation orders within the City.
Jill Shook, Pasadena resident, inquired about the scope of damage within the City caused by the disaster, and expressed concerns regarding the future sale of impacted properties that Council Minutes701/13/2025
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ADJOURNMENT
belong to African American families and vulnerable members of the community.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the cause of the Eaton Fire, the safety of the water and air, and the City's communication efforts to provide updates to the public.
Tim Martinez, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City to conduct air quality testing and expressed concerns regarding contaminated water in the City's water supply.
Following discussion, on the order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the information was received and filed.
OfTvprder of the Mayor, the special meeting of the City Council adjourned at 6:18 p.m., in honor of the victims of the Eaton fire in iAlta?le|(ia and Pasg(fena.
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ATTEST:
Victor M/Gordo,
City of Pasadena
k City^l
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Council Minutes801/13/2025