CIT/ OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
January 27, 2025 - 5:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Pursuant to Resolution No. 10110, the City Council Meeting was held and convened remotely via videoconference/teleconference in compliance with the Brown Act.
OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
Councilmember Jones
joined the meeting via
teleconference at 5:25
p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. (Absent: Councilmember Jones)
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 5:06 p.m. to discuss the following closed session item:
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS (pursuant to Government Code Section
54956.8)
Property: 78 N. Marengo Avenue (APNs 5723-026-902, 5723-026- 903 and 5723-026-900)
Agency negotiator: Miguel Marquez
Negotiating parties: Michael Coolidge of HRI Properties Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8) Property: 1130 S. Marengo Ave. (APNs 5324-003-900)
Agency negotiator: Miguel Marquez
Negotiating parties: Pasadena Unified School District
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 6:03 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Hampton.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Councilmember Rick Cole
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton
Councilmember Justin 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
Council Minutes101/27/2025
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
Item discussed separately
Letty Lopez, Recreation & Community Services Superintendent, provided introductory remarks about upcoming events to celebrate Black History Month, and introduced Pam Burton, DolT Project Manager, and Pixie Boyden, Chair of the Black hlistory Parade Committee. Chair Boyden invited the community to the Black History Month Festival on February 15, 2025 at Robinson Park, with an emphasis on those impacted by the Eaton Fire. Project Manager Burton announced other upcoming City events to celebrate Black History Month.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, inquired about when City Council Committee meetings would resume.
Olden Denham, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City Council to discuss AB 392 and inquired about the water storage at Devil's Gate and Eaton Canyon.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND CONTRACT NO.
23829 WITH THE PASADENA SENIOR CENTER BY EXTENDING
THE TERM ONE-YEAR, WITH TWO OPTIONAL ONE YEAR
EXTENSIONS, TO SUBSIDIZE PARKING FOR ITS PATRONS
AND EMPLOYEES AT THE MARRIOTT GARAGE (Transportation
Dept.)
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 of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b); (2) Authorize the City Manager to amend the two-year term of Contract No. 23829 with the Pasadena Senior Center by extending the term one year to subsidize parking allowing their patrons and employees to park in the Marriott Garage at no cost until February 28, 2026 (Contract No. 23,829-2); and
(3) Authorize the City Manager to execute a contract amendment for the optional extension of the contract term for two additional one- year terms, at the City Manager's discretion as detailed in the agenda report.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH SOUNDTHINKING INC. (FORMERLY
SHOTSPOTTER INC.), TO CONTINUE A GUNSHOT DETECTION
SYSTEM SUBSCRIPTION IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED
$661,500 OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD AND AMEND THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2025 OPERATING
BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,500 (Police Dept.)
Council Minutes201/27/2025
Item discussed separately
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH CLIMATEC, LLC dba WEST COAST FIRE AND
INTEGRATION FOR FIRE AND SECURITY ALARM SERVICES
FOR CITY BUILDINGS FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED
$1,035,173 (Public Works 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 the State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to award contract to lowest and best bid dated April 15, 2024, submitted by Climatec, LLC dba West Coast Fire and Integration (West Coast) in response to project plans and specifications for Fire and Security Alarm Services for city buildings, and enter into a contract for a total amount not-to-exceed $1,035,173, which includes the base contract amount of $900,150 and a contingency of $135,023 for up to five years (Contract No. 33156); and
(3) Authorize the City Manager to approve no-cost amendments to the subject contract including durational extensions.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH SELECT PATROL AGENCY, INC., FOR
SECURITY, COURIER, LOCK UP, AND FIRE WATCH SERVICES
FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $8,709,300 FOR FIVE
YEARS (Public Works 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) 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 Select Patrol, Inc., (Select Patrol) for Security, Lock Up, Courier, and Fire Watch Services in an amount not-to-exceed $8,709,300 for up to five years, which includes the base contract amount of $5,225,580 and a two one-year extension of $1,741,860. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) (Contracts for professional or unique sen/ices). (Contract No. 33140)
FISCAL YEAR JUNE 30, 2024 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
(Finance Dept.)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH ANIXTER, INC., FOR 34.5 KV OUTDOOR
VACUUM CIRCUIT BREAKERS FOR A TOTAL NOT-TO-EXCEED
AMOUNT OF $4,500,000 FOR THE WATER AND POWER
DEPARTMENT (Water & Power Dept.)
Council Minutes301/27/2025
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 Section 21065 of CEQA and Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, and as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to award contract to lowest and best bid dated October 16, 2024, submitted byAnixter, Inc., ("Anixter") in response to the project plans and specifications for 34.5 kV Outdoor Vacuum Circuit Breaker, for a grand total amount not-to-exceed $4,500,000, which includes the base contract amount of $2,700,000 or three years, whichever occurs first, and the option for two additional one-year extensions or an amount not-to-exceed $1,800,000, whichever occurs first, at the discretion of the City Manager. (Contract No. 33132, processed as multi-vear P.O.)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO
CONTRACTS WITH ALTEC INDUSTRIES, INC., AND 72 HOUR,
LLC FOR PURCHASING ELEVEN UTILITY STEP VANS, FOUR
ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS, AND A DIGGER DERRICK TRUCK
FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $5,355,240 AND
AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 2025 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
PROGRAM BUDGET 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 a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA and Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, and as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required; (2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with 72 Hour, LLC ("72 Hour") for the purchase of eleven utility step vans for Pasadena Water and Power Department ("PWP"), in an amount not- to-exceed $4,187,700, which includes the base contract amount of $3,806,800 and a contingency of $380,900 to provide for any necessary change orders. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(H) (Contracts with other governmental entities or their contractors for labor, material, supplies or services) (P.O. per staff);
(3) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with 72 Hour for the purchase of four half-ton electric pickup trucks for PWP, in an amount not-to-exceed $397,540, which includes the base contract amount of $361,600 and a contingency of $35,940 to provide for any necessary change orders. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(H) (Contracts with other governmental entities or their contractors for labor, material, supplies or services) (P.O. per staff);
(4) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Altec Industries, Inc., ("Altec") for the purchase of a digger derrick truck for PWP, in an amount not-to-exceed $770,000, which includes the Council Minutes401/27/2025
base contract amount of $700,000 and a contingency of $70,000 to provide for any necessary change orders. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(H) (Contracts with other governmental entities or their contractors for labor, material, supplies or services) (P.O. per staff);
(5) Grant the recommended contracts an exemption from the Competitive Selection process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.049(B) contracts for which the City's best interests are served;
(6) Authorize the City Manager to approve no-cost amendments to the subject contract including durational extensions; and (7) Amend the Fiscal Year ("FY") 2025 Water and Power Capital Improvement Program Budget by appropriating $1,110,000 from the Power Capital Fund 411 to Capital Improvement Program ("CIP") Purchase of Vehicles and Equipment Project- Power Fund (03500) and $755,100 from the Water Capital Fund 412 to CIP Purchase of Vehicles and Equipment Project - Water Fund (01600). (Budget Amendment No. 2025-19)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO THREE
CONTRACTS FOR LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SERVICES; A
CONTRACT WITH BRIGHTVIEW LANDSCAPE SERVICES INC.,
FOR AREA I FOR PARKS, RECREATION AND COMMUNITY
SERVICES IN THE AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $2,082,282; A
CONTRACT WITH SANI GROUP, INC., DBA BMC LANDSCAPE
MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT FOR AREA II FOR THE WATER
AND POWER DEPARTMENT - WATER DIVISION FOR AN
AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $330,812; AND A CONTRACT WITH
GREENTECH LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE INC., FOR AREA 111
FOR THE WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT - POWER
DIVISION FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $192,500 (PRCS
Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council; (1) Find that the project in the agenda report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Article 19, Class 1, Section 15301, Existing facilities, Subsection (h) which exempts maintenance of existing landscaping and that there are no features that distinguish the project from others in the exempt class, and therefore, there are no unusual circumstances;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to award contract to lowest and best bid dated November 21, 2024 submitted by Brightview Landscape Maintenance Services, Inc. (Brightview) in response to the plans and specifications for Landscape Maintenance, for Parks, Recreation and Community Services and authorize the City Manager to enter into a six-year contract for a grand total amount not-to-exceed $2,082,282 which includes the base contract amount of $1,892,982, and a contingency of $189,300 to provide for any necessary change orders (Contract No.33134);
Council Minutes501/27/2025
City Council
RESIGNATIONS,
APPOINTMENTS, &
REAPPOINTMENTS
City Clerk/ Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED
(3) Authorize the City Manager to award contract to lowest and best bid dated November 21, 2024 submitted by Sani Group Inc. DBA BMC Landscape Management (BMC Landscape) in response to the plans and specifications for Landscape Maintenance for the Water and Power Department - Water Division and authorize the City Manager to enter into a six-year contract for a grand total amount not-to-exceed $330,812 which includes the base contract amount of $300,738 and a contingency of $30,074 to provide for any necessary change orders (Contract No. 33151); and
(4) Authorize the City Manager to award contract to lowest and best bid dated November 21, 2024 submitted by Greentech Landscape Inc. (Greentech) in response to the plans and specifications for Landscape Maintenance for the Water and Power Department - Power Division, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a six- year contract for a grand total amount not-to-exceed $192,500, which includes the base contract amount of $175,000 and a contingency of $17,500 to provide for any necessary change orders. (Contract No. 33142)
REVOCATION OF THE MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION
AND THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING
PROGRAM, AND REVOCATION OF APPROVAL OF NINETY
PERCENT DESIGN PLANS FOR THE ARROYO SECO WATER
REUSE PROJECT (Public Works Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action in the agenda report is not a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under Public Resources Code Section 21065 and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15270(3):and
(2) Revoke the adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program for the Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project, and revoke approval of the ninety percent design plans for the Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project.
RESIGNATION OF WILHELMINA ROBERTSON FROM
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION (District 1 Nomination)
THE
December 16, 2024
December 16, 2024
December 16, 2024
December 23, 2024
December 23, 2024
December 30, 2024
December 30, 2024
City Council Special Closed Session Meeting
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
Council Minutes601/27/2025
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
n
MOTION:
CONSENT ITEMS
DISCUSSED
SEPARATELY
January 6, 2025
Januarys, 2025
January 13,2025
January 13,2025
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
Claim No. Claimant
2025-0134 Martin Nazaryan
2025-0135 Cleo Tsolakoglou-Williams
2025-0136 AnnaWoolcock
2025-0137 Anthony Emmanuel Shahbazian
2025-0138 Victoria Elise Mestas
2025-0139 Bonifacio Bustos
2025-0140 Frances Hope Martinez
2025-0141 Duplicate to Claim No. 2025-
0140
2025-0142 Carla Jamison
2025-0143 Gabriel Angel Acero
2025-0144 Kimberly Isaac
2025-0145 Kathleen Rinden
2025-0146 Dean Matteson Collins
2025-0147 Juan Carlos Cortez
2025-0148 Susanna Hajyan
2025-0149 MeiZhang
2025-0150 YixiaMiao
2025-0151 Farmers Insurance Exchange
2025-0152 Gabriel Hernandez
Claim Amount
$10,000.00+
500.00
35,000.00+
488.77
300.00
4,000.00
35,000.00+
6,000.00
35,000.00+
10,000.00+
35,000.00+
9,500.00
700.00
3,428.31
Not stated
Not stated
35,000.00+
5,000.00)
It was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Madison, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Items 2 and 5.
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Lyon,
Madison, Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH SOUNDTHINKING INC. (FORMERLY
SHOTSPOTTER INC.), TO CONTINUE A GUNSHOT DETECTION
SYSTEM SUBSCRIPTION IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED
$661,500 OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD AND AMEND THE
POLICE DEPARTMENT'S FISCAL YEAR 2025 OPERATING
BUDGET IN THE AMOUNT OF $220,500 (Police 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) Council Minutes701/27/2025
pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061 (b)(3), the "Common-Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects which may have an effect on the environment;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract, without competitive bidding pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(f), for contracts for professional and unique services, with SoundThinking, Inc., for the existing gunshot detection system subscription which includes the necessary equipment, service, and annual subscription fees in an amount not-to-exceed $661,500 for three years (Contract No.33157);
(3) Grant the recommended contract an exemption from the Competitive Selection process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.049(B) contracts for with the City's best interest are served; and
(4) Amend the Police Department's Fiscal Year (FY 2025) Operating Budget by appropriating $220,500 from the
unappropriated fund balance in the Asset Forfeiture Fund 207. (Budget Amendment No. 2025-18)
Yadi, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the extension of the SoundThinking contract and advocated for the item to be discussed by the Public Safety Committee.
Ed Vogel, representing Lucy Parsons Labs, urged the City Council not to renew the SoundThinking contract.
Councilmember Cole expressed concerns that the staff report lacked substantial analysis and data reflecting the effectiveness of the SoundThinking system.
Vice Mayor Rivas expressed her support for the proposed action but suggested that future staff reports include additional data pertaining to response times and system utilization. She noted that this system helped save the life of an individual in her district, and asked that the Police Department include how the system has contributed to police investigations in future reports to help justify contract extensions.
Councilmember Madison expressed support for the proposed action, and advocated for the Public Safety Committee to discuss and summarize how SoundThinking has contributed to the City's public safety.
In response to questions, Eugene Harris, Pasadena Police Chief, provided further details on how asset forfeiture funds are used to pay for the SoundThinking system, and noted that such designated funds cannot be used to support other projects or issues, such as sidewalk repairs or housing.
Council Minutes801/27/2025
MOTION:Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve the staff recommendation, with direction to staff to agendize this matter for further review by the Public Safety Committee.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Madison,
Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: Councilmember Cole
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
FISCAL YEAR JUNE 30, 2024 ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORTS
(Finance Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council and/or the Successor Agency to the Pasadena Community Development Commission review, discuss, and file the following reports for the year ended June 30, 2024:
A. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report
B. Independent Auditors' Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and on Compliance and Other Matters Based on an Audit of Financial Statements Performed in
Accordance with Government Auditing Standards (This
replaces what was called the "Management Letter.")
C. Pasadena Center Operating Company Financial Statements D. Rose Bowl Operating Company Basic Financial Statements E. Pasadena Community Access Corporation Financial
Statements
F. Pasadena Fire and Police Retirement System A Pension Trust Fund of the City of Pasadena, California Financial Statements G. City of Pasadena, California Air Quality Management District Fund Financial Statements
H. Pasadena Housing Successor Pasadena, California Financial Statements
I. City of Pasadena, California Foothill Workforce Development Board Financial Statements
J. Independent Accountants' Report on Agreed-Upon
Procedures Applied to Appropriations Limit Worksheets
K. Independent Accountants' Report on Applying Agreed-Upon Procedures for review of Deferred Compensation
L. The Auditors' Communications with the City's Finance/Audit Committee
Councilmember Cole strongly urged the City Council to conduct a more thorough and extensive review of this matter, with a full discussion on the submitted financial documents. He emphasized the importance of understanding where funds are spent to better plan for the next fiscal year. In response to Councilmember Cole's concerns, Mayor Gordo stated that the City Council and City staff reviews budgets and programs for City Departments and Operating Companies extensively during the budget process each year.
Council Minutes901/27/2025
MOTION:
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:
City Manager Marquez noted that unlike normal circumstances, largely due to the Eaton Fire and the City's current disaster response efforts, the agenda report and financial statements were not reviewed by the Finance Committee but rather submitted directly to the City Council.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry regarding a deficiency flagged by auditors, Matt Hawkesworth, Finance Director, reported that balance adjustments were made while auditors were performing a review resulting in the noted deficiency, which was later reconciled.
Finance Director Hawkesworth stated that adjustments are a result of new government accounting standards and leases, and confirmed that once agencies become more familiarized with the
pronouncements, less adjustments will be needed in the future.
In response to Mayor Gordo's inquiry regarding the financial audit and annual reports, Finance Director Hawkesworth clarified that the financial audits differ from performance audits and do not determine program effectiveness, hie added that the Finance Committee generally reviews annual reports for specific programs/plans (i.e.
CalPERS) before they are submitted to the City Council.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Vice Mayor Rivas, to defer action on this item and refer the matter to the Finance Committee for a more comprehensive review and discussion.
In response to Councilmember Cole's concerns, Councilmember Madison noted that the City Council has had many robust discussions on the topic of the City's budget, which occurs throughout the year and during budget deliberations, expressed his support for referring this item to the Finance Committee for further review, but stated his opposition to delaying action on the staff's recommendation to receive and file. Councilmember Lyon added that the City Council analyzes the appropriateness of City revenues and expenses during the budget process through several Council Committees, and noted that the proposed financial statements are an audit of the City's system of financing and internal controls, and supported the staff's recommendation.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve the staff recommendation and refer the matter to the Finance Committee for further review.
AYES: Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Madison,
Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: Councilmember Cole
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Council Minutes1001/27/2025
SPECIAL ITEMUPDATE - 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
(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 of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b).
City Manager Marquez provided a brief recap of Phase 1 and Phase 2 debris clean up of the Eaton Fire, and introduced US Army Corps of Engineers Colonel Swenson, who will lead Phase 2 (Private Property Debris Removal) efforts. Colonel Swenson provided an oral report on the Phase 2 process, explained options that impacted residents will have in terms of removal of debris on their private property, and responded to questions.
Councilmembers Hampton and Jones requested that City staff provide information to the City Council and the public on any haul route decisions finalized by LA County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
In response to Councilmember Masuda's inquiry regarding fraudulent scams, price gouging, and identity theft activities impacting vulnerable residents, City Manager Marquez stated that the City has broadcasted alerts to residents urging vigilance and to report any suspicious activities. City Attorney Bagneris added that Chief Assistant City Prosecutor Tim Wellman is part of an interagency task force focused on price gouging, fraud, and other scam activities.
Councilmember Madison expressed concerns regarding LA County as the lead agency on Phase 2 debris removal and advocated for the City assert its jurisdictional authority for debris removal efforts when it comes to the 142 impacted structures in Pasadena boundaries. He emphasized that it is the City's Planning Department and Public Health Department that has oversight of permitting for City residents and assessing health risks locally. In response to Councilmember Madison's concerns, City Attorney Bagneris reported that the FEMA authorization approved by the City Council for the debris removal process was delegated to California Office of Emergency Services and to counties, with the City to supplement.
Colonel Swenson added that because multiple agencies are part of the debris removal MOD, all participants would be directed and streamlined to the same office for permitting regardless of where they reside.
Council Minutes1101/27/2025
Discussion ensued regarding right of entry letters, abatement for properties that fail to comply with local laws, and the temporary suspension of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requirements under the emergency order from the governor.
Chad Augustin, Fire Chief, presented a Powerpoint presentation recapping the Eaton Fire, disaster recovery centers, and full restoration of City services, hie commended the unwavering efforts of City staff led by City Manager Marquez, the Executive Leadership Team, partners at the Pasadena Convention Center and the Rose Bowl, and the community in the collective response to the natural disasters.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that the City Clerk's Office received one letter advocating for the City to provide information on the houses that were destroyed by the wildfires, two letters advocating for the City to enforce the ban on leaf blowers and ban the use of wood burning chimneys in the City, two letters advocating for the City to provide rules and guidelines for clean-up related to the sites damaged by fire, and/or for the City to conduct an independent review of the evacuation policies and emergency alert notification policies, and five letters advocating for the City to enact various rental relief/assistance legislation, which were received distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record for the item.
The following individuals advocated for a rent freeze, an eviction moratorium, smoke remediation, and/or provided other related comments:
Akim Babenko, Pasadena resident
Ash Riveire, Pasadena resident
Mo, Pasadena resident
Kalliopi Somis, Pasadena resident
Allison Henry, Pasadena resident
Brigitte Rooney, Pasadena resident
Gil Barel, Pasadena resident
In response to Councilmember Cole's suggestion that the City conduct testing of homes for habitability as a way to provide assurances to its residents that homes are safe to live in, Manuel Carmona, Director of Pasadena Public Health, stated that City coordinated testing raises procedural, legal, and financial considerations that would make timely home testing a challenge and recommended the City consider and pursue other options for testing.
Discussion ensued regarding testing City facilities and neighborhoods for smoke and toxins released by the Eaton Fire, incentives for building ADUs and housing, and clearance of downed trees.
Council Minutes1201/27/2025
RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENTS
City Manager
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
Councilmember Madison advocated to have the Legislative Policy Committee review how the City handles sponsorships to ensure responsible use of City resources and allow the full City Council to be aware of sponsorship efforts. hie also thanked the Dodgers Foundation for their generosity and support of the impacted communities with their recent chartable event held at Robinson Park.
Following discussion, on the order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the information was received and filed.
AUTHORIZATION TO UTILIZE ALTERNATIVE PROJECT
DELIVERY METHOD FOR THE CENTRAL LIBRARY SEISMIC
RETROFIT AND RENOVATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION OF
TRANSIT OPERATIONS MAINTENANCE FACILITY PROJECTS
(Public Works Dept.)
The Mayor announced that this item will be held for a future meeting.
On or^er of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjourned at 10:15 p.m.
IM.
Victor M. Gordo, Mayo
City of Pasadena
^
City C\e4
Council Minutes1301/27/2025