CITY OF PASADENA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MINUTES
JUNE 17, 2025-5:00 P.M.
MEETING
OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
Chair Hampton called the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee to order at 5:30 p.m.
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton, Chair
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Steve Madison (Absent)
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Klug, Director of Economic Development
Jennifer Paige, Director of Planning and Community Development Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development
Israel Del Toro, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development
Guille Nunez, Principal Planner of Planning and Community Development
Randy Mabson, Program Coordinator III
Deborah Membreno, Project Manager
Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Vice Mayor Rivas, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the minutes of May 08, 2025 (Special Meeting), as submitted. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Madison) PUBLIC COMMENT Sandy Annala, Pasadena resident, requested elaboration on management of the City's relationship with the Pasadena Community Foundation and advocated for a centralized grant application office to better support departmental grant funding needs.
NEW BUSINESS RECOMMENDED PLAN CHECK AND OTHER PERMIT FEE
REDUCTIONS RELATED TO REBUILDING PROPERTIES DAMAGED
OR DESTROYED BY THE EATON FIRE DISASTER
Jennifer Paige, Director of Planning and Community Development, provided introductory comments, and Guille Nunez, Principal Planner of Planning and Community, summarized the staff memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the Eaton Fire, rebuild and recovery data, rebuild permit status map, plan check fees, permit fees, fiscal impact, proposed fee reductions; with both responding to questions.
Vice Mayor Rivas advocated for the General Plan Maintenance Fee and Technology Fee to be reduced and/or waived from the City's building permit fees.
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Councilmember Hampton requested that all approved City building permits related to the Eaton Fire rebuild fee reductions be retroactive with an approval date of July 14, 2025.
In response to Councilmember Lyon's inquiry on standardized plans, Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development, provided information on the standardization plans and the City staff's scope of work related to plan checking, and responded to questions.
In response to Councilmember Hampton's inquiry on the Eaton Fire lawsuit, Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney, responded that staff will discuss the matter with outside counsel and report: back to the City Council.
Councilmember Hampton advocated for staff to collaborate with local non- profits for funding opportunities to assist with permitting fees; and advocated to reduce the City's building permit fees by 50 percent for property owners effected by the Eaton Fire.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that seven letters of correspondence was received by the City Clerk's Office, which was distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the public record.
The Committee recessed at 6:21 p.m. and reconvened at 6:22 p.m.
The following individuals provided comments on the matter:
Susie Rhodes, Pasadena resident
Tom Call, Pasadena resident
Ed Karim, Pasadena resident
Chris Arakel, Pasadena resident
Lauren Siegel, Pasadena resident
Totress Beasley, Pasadena resident
Natalie Majarran, Pasadena resident
Sandy Annala, Pasadena resident
Councilmember Lyon requested staff to provide an analysis on the regulations related to "gift of public funds" as soon as possible, in order for the City Council to be able to assist individuals negatively affected by the Eaton Fire.
Ms. Paige responded that staff is able to review and provide additional information on "like for like," which was utilized in the City's emergency order, as well as information on a proposed 50 percent reduction of building and permit fees.
Chair Hampton supported limiting fee reductions to existing residents or their family members, excluding developers or new property owners, and asked staff to provide additional information on insurance reimbursement. 02 06/17/2025
Vice Mayor Rivas requested staff to provide a comparison analysis on the proposed building fee reductions, specifically which fees can and cannot be reduced with an explanation as to why or why not fees are not able to be waived. In addition, she would like side-by-side data with all the City's building permit fees waived and the data from slide 18, "Additional Fee Reductions" from the staff Powerpoint presentation, which she believes would be a great way to frame the conversation to the City Council.
The Committee voiced support of Vice Mayor Riva's request to provide information on waiving all City's building permit fees to the maximum extent legally permitted. In addition, the Committee asked staff to determine the possibility of waiving all permit fees related to rebuilding properties damaged or destroyed by the Eaton Fire disaster, from other City departments (i.e. fire, water & power, public works).
Chair Hampton spoke in support of limiting new building of Additional Dwelling Units' (ADU) construction to Single Family Residence (SFR) sites only, as the City has already significantly reduced ADD building fees. He asked staff to consider if the City Council decides not to waive all building permit fees, if staff is able to put a hold on the building fees until property owners are reimbursed by their insurance companies.
Councilmember Lyon asked staff to provide information on the costs associated with soil testing, how soil testing was included in the permit process, and other legal requirements related to soil testing and building permits.
Deputy Director Israel Del Toro provided information on other department's fees related to building permits and responded to questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Chair hlampton, to direct to provide additional information on the matter as detailed above, and forward the matter to the City Council for further consideration and discussion. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent:
Councilmember Madison)
APPROVAL OF PASADENA ASSISTANCE FUND GRANT AWARDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $150,000 FOR 2025 & 2026
Randy Mabson, Program Coordinator III, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, and responded to questions.
Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Chair Hampton, seconded by Vice Mayor Rivas, to approve the staff recommendation and forward the item to the City Council for consideration. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Madison)
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INFORMATION ONLY
ADJOURNMENT:
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A CONTRACT
WITH CHILDS DESIGNS FOR ADU PROJECT MANAGEMENT
SERVICES FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $400,000
Randy Mabson, Program Coordinator III, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, and responded to questions.
Following a brief discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Vice Mayor Rivas, to approve the staff recommendation and forward the item to the City Council for consideration. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Madison)
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BY DAVID A. KLUG,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
PROCUREMENT 101 TRAINING
Due to time constraints, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the above referenced items will be continued to a future Committee meeting.
Vice Mayor Riva's asked staff to agendize for discussion the revitalization of North Lake area in the City.
Chair Hampton asked staff to return to the Committee with information on how the City is utilizing Artificial Intelligence (Al) in the City.
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee was adjourned at 7:09 p.m.
ATTEST: ^v
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Betty 6ao
Recording Secretary
Tyron Hampton, Chair
Economic Development and Technology Committee
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