CITY OF PASADENA
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER - S249
MAY 23, 2025
SPECIAL MEETING
OPENING The Chair called the special meeting of the Municipal Services Committee to order at 2:1 1 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
NEW BUSINESS
01 CouncilmemberJustin Jones, Chair
Councilmember Tyron Hampton (Absent)
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation
Varoojan Avedian, Assistant General Manager, Water and Power Sebastian Hernandez, Principal Planner
Jan Hamblen, Parking Manager
Lisa hlosey, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF THE WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT'S 2025
WILDFIRE MITIGATION PLAN
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments, and Varoojan Avedian, Assistant General Manager of Water and Power, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on background, fire threat map, 2025 plan update, with both responding to questions.
Councilmember Cole advocated for relying on staff and not consultants for future mitigation planning and community outreach efforts, as cost saving efforts, and relying on staff for local community knowledge. In addition, he expressed concerns with the delays in residential utility undergrounding projects and called for a more cost-effective and efficient approach, especially in fire-prone areas.
In regard to Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), Chair Jones emphasized prioritizing the safety of vulnerable residents, especially those using life-sustaining medical devices or living in high-density housing.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that two letters of correspondence were received by the City Clerk's Office, which was distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the record for this item.
Following further discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Cole, to approve the staff
recommendation and forward the item to the City Council for consideration. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent:
Councilmember Hampton)
05/23/2025
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The Committee recessed at 2:44 p.m. and reconvened at 2:50 p.m.
BUDGET WORKSHOP — FY 2026 RECOMMENDED OPERATING
BUDGET
TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, presented the Powerpoint presentation on the department's Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 recommended operating budget, including providing information on FY 2025 accomplishments, appropriations by category, FY 2026 enhancement requests, FY 2026 work plan, overview of funds, and responded to questions.
In response to Councilmember Cole's inquiry on Metro Micro (an on- demand rideshare service), Sebastian Hernandez, Principal Planner, responded that Metro Micro accommodates virtual stops whereas Pasadena Dial-A-Ride is a curb-to-curb transportation service.
Due to below-market parking rates, Councilmember Cole advocated for a review of the parking revenue policy to reduce subsidies for solo drivers, especially considering climate change and growing budget constraints; and rethinking traditional spending approaches and reallocating funds to support a multimodal transportation City.
Councilmember Lyon requested staff to provide additional information on the City's Dial-A-Ride program, including fiscal data and recommendations to lower the cost per trip.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry on parking fees, Jon Hamblen, Parking Manager, stated that the parking system is self- sustaining operationally, but does not fully account for deferred maintenance or future infrastructure needs.
Councilmember Lyon echoed Councilmember Cole's comments related to the current parking underpricing acts as a subsidy for driving and advocated for adjusting parking fees closer to market rates, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and the need to plan for future infrastructure costs.
Chair Jones asked staff to provide a detailed performance data report and information on user feedback on the Dial-A-Ride program.
Betty Gao, 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 record for this item.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
02 05/23/2025
ADJOURNMENT On the order of,the Chair, the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee w^a^journ^d-^! 3y59 p.m.
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ATTEST:
iI",
C9dr^lmerp1$e<Justin Jones, Chair
^Klicipal^ervices Committee
Br-
Befty-'Gao
Recording Secretary
03 05/23/2025