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OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
PUBLIC COMMENT
CITY OF PASADENA
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER - S249
MAY 27, 2025
MEETING
The Chair called the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee to order at 4:07 p.m.
CouncilmemberJustin Jones, Chair
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton (Arrived at 4:12 p.m.)
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power
Matthew Hawkesworth, Acting Assistant City Manager/Director of Finance
Lynne Chaimowitz, Assistant General Manager, Water and Power Varoojan Avedian, Assistant General Manager, Water and Power Stacie Takeguchi, Assistant General Manager, Water and Power Jen Guess Mayo, Assistant General Manager, External Affairs Lisa Mosey, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
Solar Vie Aguilar, Sierra Madre resident, expressed concerns with the City's policy and application process related to home solar installation and battery storage.
In response to public comment, David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, stated that staff will reach out to Mr. Aguilar to address his concerns.
NEW BUSINESS
Councilmember hlampton
arrived at 4:12 p.m.
01 BUDGET WORKSHOP - FY 2026 RECOMMENDED OPERATING
BUDGET
A. WATER AND POWER DEPARTMENT
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments, and Lynne Chaimowitz, Assistant General Manager, Water and Power, presented the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on key initiatives, Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 accomplishments, FY 2026 outlook, appropriations by category, overview of fund, changes from FY 2025, and enhancement requests, with both responding to questions.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that three letters of correspondence were received by the City Clerk's Office, which were distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the record for this item.
The following individuals provided comments on the matter:
Genette Foster, Pasadena resident
Cynthia Cannady, representing Pasadena 100
05/27/2025
In response to Councilmember Cole's inquiry on the department's personnel budget, Acting Assistant City Manager/Finance Director Matthew Hawkesworth responded that staff will provide data on personnel expenses to provide information on base, pension, medical benefits, and retirement compensation when this item is presented to the City Council; and responded to questions.
Councilmember Cole expressed concerns with adopting a budget before completing the rate study and urged aligning the budget with Resolution 9977's climate resilience goals; and advocated for staff to move quickly to develop innovative programs that will allow residents to maximize battery storage and solar energy. He also advocated for additional internal staff efforts for the City's public engagement, outreach, and communication efforts.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry on advertising, Jen Guess Mayo, Assistant General Manager, External Affairs, responded that multiple advertising channels are used to reach diverse audiences, based on research showing repeated exposure is key to prompting action.
Councilmember Lyon suggested for staff to include a standing agenda item related to budget updates on all future Committee meeting agendas.
The Committee expressed concerns with the proposed budget which includes a particular amount of revenue from an anticipated rate increase and spoke in favor of approving the proposed budget without a rate increase.
Councilmember Hampton emphasized integrating preventive climate emergency actions (i.e. insulating wire, grounding, brush clearance, actions to manage the City's facilities) into the budget planning. He requested that staff provide information on the number of fast electric vehicle chargers that are installed in the City, and recommended agendizing the matter for further discussion.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiry on electric vehicle (EV) chargers, Varoojan Avedian, Assistant General Manager, Water and Power, provided information on Level 2 charging stations throughout the City; and responded to questions.
Chair Jones urged incorporating climate change into the long-term general fund transfer budget plans and recommended that staff conduct a climate risk assessment to quantify potential financial exposure in the City's budget due to climate change. He asked staff to provide information on Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) performance benchmarks (i.e. customer engagement, user satisfaction).
Councilmember Cole advocated for increased planning and investment in local water sources, including groundwater recharge and strong stormwater recapture.
02 05/27/2025
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
1 Betfy Gao
Recording Secretary
In response to Chair Jone's inquiry on reduced imported water, Stacie Takeguchi, Assistant General Manager, Water and Power, stated that staff and the Metropolitan Water District (MWD) are monitoring water availability, with climate modeling and allocation planning already in place.
Chair Jones applauded General Manager David Reyes and Water and Power staff for their leadership and hard work.
Following discussion, it was moved by CouncilmemberCole, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the staff recommended budget, amended with no rate increase be built into the proposed budget, while recognizing that there is the likelihood of a rate increase after public discussion of a rate study, and forward the item to the City Council for consideration and further discussion. (Motion unanimously approved) On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee was adjourned at 6:01 p.m.
Coun^flmembferOustin Jones, Chair
Mur/cipal Services Committee
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03 05/27/2025