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OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
CIT/ OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
February 24, 2025 - 5:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Teleconference Location:
Private Residence
52300 Ross Avenue
La Quinta, CA 92253
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 5:04 p.m. to discuss the following closed session items:
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: 615 S Catalina Ave^LLCy. City of Pasadena, et aL
Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24STCP02861
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Properties: 649 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite 202, Pasadena, CA; 1335 N. Lake Ave, Pasadena, CA; 710 N. Fair Oaks Ave.,
Pasadena, CA; 199 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Agency negotiator: Miguel Marquez
Negotiating parties: Danny Bakewell, Jr. (649 N. Fair Oaks and 1335 N. Lake), Sierra Atilano (710 N. Fair Oaks), Natalie Bazarevitsch (199 S. Los Robles)
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 6:46 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Hampton.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Tyron Hampton
Councilmember Justin Jones
Councilmember Jason Lyon
Councilmember Steve Madison (via teleconference)
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas
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Staff:
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
City Manager Miguel Marquez
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation declaring March 2025 as Women's History Month in Pasadena to Vanessa Rodriguez, Chair of the Commission on the Status of Women, Leticia Lopez, Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Superintendent, and members of the Commission on the Status of Women, noting the tremendous contributions of women in Pasadena that help strengthen the community, and expressed gratitude for their leadership to champion change. Chair Rodriguez expressed appreciation to the City Council for acknowledging Women's History month, and invited the public to attend the annual Herstory 2025 event on March 13, 2025.
Heather Lee, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the use of fire-retardant materials ahead of the July 4th fireworks event, noting the long-term environmental impacts, and urged the City to explore more environmentally friendly ways to celebrate the holiday.
Councilmembers Cole and Hampton advocated for July 4th fireworks enforcement and tactics to be discussed by the Public Safety Committee.
Bert Newton, Pasadena resident, spoke on the ceasefire between Palestine and Israel.
Claudia Anderson and Raenada Mason, Small Business
Administration - Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience, provided information to the public regarding disaster loan resources available to assist homeowners and renters, as well as businesses and non-profit organizations, impacted by the recent wildfires.
Olden Denham, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City Council to agendize AB392 for discussion (Police Officer accountability) and expressed concerns related to the Anthony McClain shooting.
Alien Shay, Pasadena resident, inquired about the status of the City's underground utility project, as well as oversight of the City's police department.
Bill Magnum, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the City's response to the Eaton Fire and the inability of the City to save the homes in Upper Hastings Ranch.
Kathy Berlin, Pasadena resident, advocated for sustainably rebuilding of homes impacted by the Eaton Fire and incorporating renewable energy.
Council Minutes202/24/2025
H CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
Elder Miranda, representing Just Serve, shared information regarding the organization's willingness to serve the community.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH DELL MARKETING LP FOR MICROSOFT
SOFTWARE LICENSES AND SERVICES IN AN AMOUNT NOT-
TO-EXCEED $7,650,000 FOR A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS
(DolT)
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" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
(2) Approve a renewal of an Enterprise License Agreement (ELA) with Microsoft for a period of three years from April 1, 2025 to March 31,2028;
(3) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract without competitive bidding pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(H) contracts with other governmental entities or their contractors, with Dell Marketing LP for the licensing of Microsoft software and services under the Microsoft ELA in an amount not-to-exceed $7,650,000 for a period of three years from April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2028 as set forth in the body of the agenda report (Contract No. 33177); and (4) Grant the recommended contract 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.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH THE CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL FOR
SUPPLEMENTAL LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES FOR NEW
YEAR'S ACTIVITIES AND MAJOR EVENTS, FOR A PERIOD OF
FIVE YEARS (2025-2030) IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED
$1,250,000 (Police Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find the proposed action in the agenda report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 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 California Highway Patrol for supplemental law enforcement services for New Year's activities and major events, for a period of five years (2025-2030) in an amount not-to-exceed $1,250,000 (Contract No. 33170); and
(3) The proposed contract is exempt from competitive bidding and competitive selection pursuant to City Charter, Section 1002(1-1), and Pasadena Municipal Code, Section 4.08.049(A)(3), contracts with other government entities.
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Flavio Andrade, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns
regarding the proposed contract providing funds to the California Highway Patrol and his previous encounter with CHP officers.
Alex Parker, Rosemead resident, expressed opposition to the proposed contract and advocated for additional funding for the City's Fire Department.
AMEND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2025
OPERATING BUDGET BY RECOGNIZING REVENUE AND
APPROPRIATING $105,370 FROM RIO HONDO COMMUNITY
COLLEGE DISTRICT TO FUND VOCATIONAL TRAINING
PROGRAMS AND FIRE EQUIPMENT (Fire 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; and
(2) Amend the Fire Department Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Operating Budget by recognizing revenue and appropriating $105,370 from Rio Hondo Community College District to fund vocational training programs and fire equipment. (Budget Amendment No. 2025-20) FINANCE COMMITTEE: APPROVE AMENDMENTS TO FISCAL
YEAR 2025 ADOPTED OPERATING BUDGET (Finance 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); and
(2) Approve amending the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted
Operating Budget as detailed in the agenda report by a net amount of $4,345,136. (Budget Amendment No. 2025-21)
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE: DIRECT THE CITY
ATTORNEY TO PREPARE AN ORDINANCE AMENDING
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 13.04 TO REMOVE
STRANDED INVESTMENT CHARGE AND RESERVES AND TO
INCLUDE A WORKING CAPITAL RESERVE TARGET WITHIN 60
DAYS (Water & Power 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 State CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b); and (2) Direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance, and return within 60 days, amending Pasadena Municipal Code ("PMC") Chapter 13.04, the light and power rate ordinance to:
a. Amend Section 13.04.173 - Power cost adjustment.
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City Council
APPOINTMENTS,
REAPPOINTMENTS,
AND RESIGNATIONS
City Clerk/ Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
b. Amend Section 13.04.175 - Reserve for stranded investment and change title to "Reserve for working capital"; and, c. Remove 13.04.176 - Stranded investment surcharge.
Recommendation of the Municipal Services Committee (MSC):
On February 11, 2025, the MSC approved the staff recommendation to direct the City Attorney's Office to prepare an ordinance to amend PMC 13.04; the code change would create a working capital reserve target policy. Staff received guidance to also create a minimum level for reserves to establish the point at which reserve levels would be detrimental to the operations of the utility. The basis for a minimum is recommended to be 60 days, as compared to 90 days for the target, for liquidity reserve for operating expenses (2) the market reserve category, and (3) the contingency risk category. Given that the current minimum reserve level within the City's Fund Balance Reserve Policy for the Light and Power Fund is 60 days of operating expenses, this recommendation is consistent with adopted policy.
The revision to the code would also acknowledge that there are many other risks that the utility faces that require sufficient working capital in a rapidly changing industry and world.
APPOINTMENT OF JOE FEINBLATT TO THE DESIGN
COMMISSION (Arts & Culture Commission Nomination)
RESIGNATION OF LORENA YEPEZ HERNANDEZ FROM THE
NORTHWEST COMMISSION (District 5 Nomination)
RESIGNATION OF CRAIG WASHINGTON FROM THE ROSE
BOWL OPERATING COMPANY BOARD EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY
28, 2025 (Tournament of Roses Nomination)
January 15,2025
January 17,2025
January 23, 2025
City Council Special Meeting
City Council Special Meeting
City Council Special Meeting
Claim No. Claimant
2025-0167 Michael Bruce Abelson
2025-0168 DarnelUack
2025-0169 Danielle A. Salice
2025-0170 Liberty Mutual Safeco
2025-0171 Maria Yesenia Muro
2025-0172 ImeldaBealer
2025-0173 AmosCisneros
2025-0174 Martin Resales
2025-0175 Michelle Curry
2025-0176 Emily Karlekar
2025-0177 Micheal & Angelica Horsman
2025-0178 Milette Tamayo
2025-0179 J. Marcella Ayala
2025-0180 Youssef Sawaya
Claim Amount
$35,000.00+
35,000.00+
5,000.00
35,000.00+
10,000.00+
278.21
1,150.23
1,690.00
35,000.00+
10,000.00+
7,610.00
700.00
1,000.00
5,400.00
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MOTION:
CONTINUED PUBLIC
HEARING
2025-0181 SubroClaims o/b/o Geico
2025-0182 Karen Chung
2025-0183 Santas Gilberto Martinez
2025-0184 Karl Libramonte
2025-0185 State Farm
2025-0186 Rachel Hannah Falk
2025-0187 Cheryl Auger
3,315.82
1,000.00
Not stated
500.00
5,771.39
481.01
9,503.57
Katie R, residence not stated, expressed concerns related to numerous items on the Consent Calendar, noting the increases to the Police Department budget, and advocated for increased funding for the Fire Department budget, emergency funding for the residents impacted by the Eaton Fire, and for local programming.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that the Finance Committee voted to amend Consent Calendar Item 4, to increase the tree planting allocation cost from $70,000 to $150,000 to address recent tree loss, and to amend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Operating Budget as detailed in the agenda report by a new net amount of $4,425,136.
It was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Jones, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, incorporating the Finance Committee amendment to Item 4 [FY 2025 Adopted Operating Budget Amendment], detailed above.
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Lyon,
Madison, Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING: QUASI-JUDICIAL ACTION: AN
APPEAL OF THE BOARD OF ZONING APPEALS' DECISION TO
APPROVE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #7114 TO ESTABLISH A
CLUBS, LODGES, PRIVATE MEETING HALL LAND USE WITHIN
AN EXISTING BUILDING (MAXWELL HOUSE) AT 55 SOUTH
GRAND AVENUE (Planning Dept.)
Note to City Council and Public: In compliance with Zoning Code Chapter 17.76, Section 17.76.040(0), the hearing will be re-noticed to occur on Monday, March 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. to allow the applicant and the appellant an opportunity to meet and confer on the matter.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that the public hearing will be re-noticed to comply with the Zoning Code, and to allow the applicant and appellant more time to meet and confer.
Council Minutes602/24/2025
PUBLIC HEARING
D
CONSIDERATION OF A TEMPORARY SUSPENSION/
MODIFICATION OF ZONING DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS AND
PROCESSES FOR REBUILDING STRUCTURES DAMAGED DUE
TO THE EATON FIRE AND TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF
CERTAIN LAND USE RELATED DEADLINES FOR
ENTITLEMENTS AND PERMITS GRANTED IN COMPLIANCE
WITH TITLE 17 (ZONING CODE), TITLE 16 (SUBDIVISIONS) AND TITLE 14 (BUILDINGS AND CONSTRUCTION)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report, to facilitate the rebuilding of structures destroyed by the Eaton Fire, is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21080(b)(3) and Executive Order N-20-25, related to projects to maintain, repair, restore, demolish, or replace property or facilities damaged or destroyed as a result of a disaster in a disaster-stricken area in which a state of emergency has been proclaimed by the Governor pursuant to the California Emergency Services Act, commencing with Section 8550 of the Government Code, and find that the action to extend land use related deadlines for entitlements and permits is exempt from CEQA pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 15061(b)(3) "Common Sense" exemption; and
(2) Direct the City Attorney to prepare an Interim Uncodified Ordinance that there is a current and immediate threat to the public health, safety, or welfare from the Eaton Fire, which resulted in the destruction of structures and displacement of residents, and that current zoning code requirements on the rebuild would exacerbate the existing threat to public health, safety, or welfare by delaying the rebuild of structures and homes.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that the public hearing notice was published on February 13, 17, and 20, 2025 in the Pasadena Press.
He also reported that the City Clerk's Office received one letter advocating for the City to work with the County of Los Angeles to rebuild Pasadena and Altadena as a model sustainable community, which was distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record for the public hearing.
Jennifer Paige, Planning Director, provided introductory comments on the item and introduced Luis Rocha, Planner, who presented a Powerpoint presentation, providing an overview of the proposed rebuilding process, temporary modifications to the City's Zoning Code, and recovery efforts for properties damaged by the Eaton Fire, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Lyon expressed support for the item and requested that City staff return with an intentional framework to promote design cohesion and sustainability among rebuilding efforts.
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ORDINANCE - FIRST
READING
Councilmember Cole expressed concerns that the 10% square footage expansion allowance for those rebuilding their homes would be inequitable for smaller homes.
Councilmember Hampton expressed similar concerns and also noted the importance of not allowing developers to take advantage of the expedited rebuild process for their own profits. He suggested increasing the expansion opportunity to 200 square feet from the original house building plan.
Councilmember Lyon suggested implementing a sliding scale for property expansion based on lot size and compatibility with the neighboring area. Mayor Gordo expressed support for the 150 square feet, or up to 10% standardized expansion allowance, and asked that City staff to return with information on providing a sliding scale model that can be utilized on a case-by-case basis.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the staff
recommendation, amended by increasing the expansion opportunity allowance to 150 square feet, or up to 10% of the property size, and with direction to staff to return with an analysis for implementing a sliding scale to be used on a case-by-case basis.
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Lyon,
Madison, Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Conduct first reading of "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AMENDING AND ADDING VARIOUS SECTIONS TO
TITLE 17, THE ZONING CODE, OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL
CODE PERTAINING TO ADAPTIVE REUSE OF EXISTING NON-
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS, INCLUDING CHANGES RELATED
TO PARKING AND VARIANCES FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES
AND MINOR CLEANUPS"
Councilmember Lyon offered the ordinance above.
Planning Director Paige provided an overview of the proposed ordinance, noting that hotels and motels would be excluded from adaptive reuse incentives.
Councilmember Lyon expressed concerns related to the housing crisis, and noted the change in this draft of the ordinance from the prior version that excludes the conversion of hotels into housing. He emphasized how hotels can easily covert into housing and expressed opposition to the proposed ordinance.
Council Minutes802/24/2025
RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENTS
City Manager
Councilmember Madison expressed concerns that the conversion of hotels into housing that would impact the economic vitality of the City and result in job losses, and advocated for that issue to be further studied (as was noted in the Ordinance Fact Sheet).
Vice Mayor Rivas echoed Councilmember Lyon's concerns and emphasized the need for more housing, allowances for hotel to housing conversions, and advocated for further study of mixed-use conversions.
Juan Munoz, Unite Here Local 11, spoke in support of the City Council excluding hotel conversions to housing from the proposed ordinance.
Discussion ensued regarding the pros and cons of converting hotels into housing, incentivizing housing affordability at every income level, converting commercial space into residential units, and meeting inclusionary housing requirements.
Councilmember Lyon withdrew his offer of first reading of the proposed ordinance.
Following discussion, Councilmember Hampton offered the ordinance for first reading.
The City Council directed staff to return after conducting further studies on the impacts of hotels being included for adaptive reuse, incorporating staff's analysis of the hospitality industry's impact on the City's economic activity.
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Hampton, Jones, Madison,
Masuda, Mayor Gordo
NOES: Councilmember Lyon and Vice Mayor Rivas
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL
RATIFYING THE CITY MANAGER'S AMENDMENT OF POWER
AIR BLOWER REGULATION (Office of the City Manager)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to California Public Resources Code Section 21065 and within the meaning ofCEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b); and (2) Adopt a Resolution ratifying the February 19, 2025, Amendment to the City Manager Power Air Blower Regulation. (Resolution No. 10116)
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MOTION:
Manuel Carmona, Public Health Director, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the item, providing updates on City Facility Testing, air quality monitoring, soil testing, and the amendment to the power air blower regulation.
In response to Councilmember hlampton's inquiry regarding recovery costs and FEMA reimbursements if the City were to conduct soil testing, Matt Hawkesworth, Finance Director, reported that the federal government will not provide reimbursement if they determine that testing is not necessary.
In response to Councilmember Jones inquiry, Public Health Director Carmona clarified that the amendment prohibits the use of leaf blowers within 50 ft of a burned or damaged area.
In response to Councilmember Cole's concerns related to enforcement of prohibiting gas-powered leaf blowers, Public Health Director Carmona reaffirmed that the City does receive complaints and issues citations to those using gas-powered leaf blowers.
Councilmember Lyon stated that the Municipal Services Committee will review the current enforcement mechanism related to gas- powered leaf blowers at a future meeting.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve the staff recommendation.
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
AYES; Councilmembers Hampton, Jones, Lyon, Madison,
Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: Councilmember Cole
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
On o/pd^r of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
\A^
Victor M. Gordo, Mayor ( "\
City of Pasadena ^ /
C?rt^(S1e
Council Minutes1002/24/2025