1 OPENING
CITY OF PASADENA
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
COUNCIL CHAMBER - ROOM S249
JULY 01, 2025
The Chair called the meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee to order at 4:41 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
PUBLIC COMMENT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS
Councilmember Steve Madison, Chair
Vice Mayor Jess Rivas
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk
Alexander Hernandez, Assistant to the City Manager
Matthew Hawkesworth, Acting Assistant City Manager/Director of Finance
Arnold Lee, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney
Danielle St. Clair, Assistant City Attorney
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary
Yadi, Pasadena resident, advocated for the Committee to agendize discussions on immigration raid protections and expedite consideration of an anti-discrimination policy.
It was moved by Councilmember Masuda, seconded by Vice Mayor Rivas to approve the minutes of March 4, 2025, and April 1, 2025 (Cancelled meeting), as submitted. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
REVIEW OF "AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PASADENA
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 2, ARTICLES 3 AND 4 TO UPDATE
PROVISIONS REGARDING TERM LIMITS AND TRAINING OF
MEMBERS OF ADVISORY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS,
COMMITTEES AND BOARDS OF OPERATING COMPANIES
CREATED BY CITY COUNCIL"
Alexander Hernandez, Assistant to the City Manager, summarized the ordinance fact sheet as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the proposed draft ordinance, options for expired terms, and operating company terms and options; and responded to questions.
In response to Chair Madison's inquiry related to operating companies, Dion O'Connetl, Assistant City Attorney, responded that operating companies' community appointments are structured differently in the Pasadena Municipal Code and that the proposed I
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1 ordinance applies to City Council appointed positions; and responded to questions.
Vice Mayor Rivas voiced support for a 180-day limit for expiration of term, have one extended term, remove the hiatus provision, and emphasized that commissioners are only required to disclose limited financial interests on the Form 700.
Chair Madison and Vice Mayor Rivas recommended that staff formally codify that all appointments remain nominations by councilmembers with approval by the City Council, if not already reflected in the Pasadena Municipal Code.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, asked staff to clarify term language to ensure staggered terms are properly reflected for board members.
Vice Mayor Rivas asked staff to return to the Committee with information on the impacts of the proposed ordinance to the current board member terms for the Rose Bowl Operating Company Board.
Following discussion, the Committee asked staff to remove the hiatus provision in the proposed ordinance language.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns with long-term service limits that may prevent new members from bringing fresh ideas to boards and commissions.
Following further discussion, the Committee asked staff to return to the Committee for consideration and discussion including guidance as detailed above.
CONSIDERATION OF REVISED PROTOCOLS AND
PROCEDURES GOVERNING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR
RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided introductory comments, opened the topic for discussion on City Council Retreat Efficiencies and Protocols, and responded to questions.
Chair Madison briefly summarized the City Council's discussion on the item at the City Council retreat in June and recommended that the Committee discuss the process to move the matter to the City Council for consideration.
In response to Vice Mayor Rivas' inquiry on Committee quorum requirement, Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, clarified staff would need to prepare an ordinance to amend the number of committee members required for a quorum, and responded to questions.
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1 INFORMATION ONLY
03 Vice Chair Rivas asked staff to determine which recommended protocols and/or procedures can be implemented by policy or ordinance referenced in the supplemental material, City of Pasadena City Council Retreat Efficiencies and Protocols.
Chair Madison suggested having a running clock timer to encourage Councilmembers to be mindful of speech time during meetings, which was suggested at the retreat. He stated for the record, "If you look at 3(e) (of the City of Pasadena City Council Retreat Efficiencies and Protocols document) it says a visible time clock showing speaking elapsed time for each councilmember" and stated that the report notes the time clock would be considered, but he recalls the matter was a definite action.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, advocated for the Committee to discuss clarifying the City's committee roles; and expressing concerns with the fast-tracking of content, City Council decision- making practices and meeting scheduling.
Vice Mayor Rivas asked staff to revisit concerns related to other municipalities using the City's license plate readers data that could potentially compromise individuals' privacy.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
BRIEFING BY KYRA EMANUELS ROSS ON STATE
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
Kyra Emanuels Ross, State Legislative advocate for the City, provided an update on state and local legislative matters listed below and responded to questions:
Governor signed $321 billion state budget including for wildfires' emergency loans, home hardening program, film and television tax credits, housing streamline for AB 130 and AB 131;
AB 131 allocates $500 million in Homeless Assistance
Program (hlAP) funds, nearly half of what was received
previously;
California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) exemptions
changes;
Notable legislative bills discussed:
o SB 750 for housing finance and credit;
o AB 130 for homeowner associations;
o AB 306 for building codes;
o SB 681 for housing and building standards.
Anticipates with supplemental budget bills, California Cap- and-Trade Program reauthorization, and Delta Conveyance Program;
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r
NEW BUSINESS
• AB 805, AB 627, and AB 549 are set for upcoming Committee hearings.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, advocated for staff to post the City's legislative policy platforms on the City's website.
In response to public comment, Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, noted that the platforms are developed each fall, with the 2025 platform scheduled for later this year.
Chair Madison asked staff to name the City's Legislative Platforms by the fiscal year the documents represent.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
SUPPORT FOR SB 805 (PEREZ AND WIENER); CRIMES
SUPPORT FOR SB 627 (WIENER, ARREGUIN, AND PEREZ);
LAW ENFORCEMENT: MASKS
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, summarized the agenda reports as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the items, including providing information on background, other bill provisions, and responded to questions.
Vice Mayor Rivas voiced support for both bills and expressed concerns with the City's ability to enforce state law against federal agencies.
Danielle St. Clair, Assistant City Attorney, responded that federal law enforcement officers would likely be immune when acting under federal authorities.
Chair Madison expressed opposition to federal immigration raids and raised concerns regarding federal preemption and officer safety. He abstained from taking a position, noting the need to balance support for legislators with adherence to the rule of law.
Councilmember Masuda echoed Chair Madison's comments,
expressing support for local legislators, and agreeing that the matter may face challenges under federal authority.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, provided comments related to
transparency and privacy, license plate reader, and/or provided other related comments on the matter.
In response to public comment, Vice Mayor Rivas requested that license plate reader privacy concerns be agendized for a future meeting. Chair Madison further requested that Kyra Emanuels Ross 04 07/01/2025
INFORMATION ONLY
(Continued)
return to the Committee with additional information on the license plate readers.
Following discussion, the Committee asked staff to forward the items to the City Council for consideration and further discussion.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF SENATE BILL 549 (ALLEN);
LOCAL GOVERNMENT: SECOND NEIGHBORHOOD INFILL
FINANCE AND TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS ACT: RESILIENT
REBUILDING AUTHORITY FOR THE LOS ANGELES WILDFIRES
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided introductory comments, and Matthew Hawkesworth, Acting
Assistant City Manager/Finance Director, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the background and analysis of SB 549, with both responding to questions.
Following discussion, the Committee recommended that staff continue to monitor Senate Bill 549 and return to the Committee with an update at a future meeting.
Following further discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by the consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
BRIEFING BY CHRIS GIGLIO ON FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE
MATTERS
Chris Giglio, Federal Legislative advocate for the City, provided an update on the following legislative matters listed below and answered questions on the following topics:
One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed with the budget
reconciliation bill;
Extended 2017 tax cuts on individuals and corporations; Increased spending on immigration enforcement;
Loss of benefit and program coverages;
Provided permanent extensions of tax credits; and
New fiscal year starts October 1st.
Chair Madison expressed concerns with current proposed federal 1 financial deep budget cuts
environmental programs.
on food, health, education, and
05 Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
PAST AGENDAS FOR CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
a. Accessibility and Disability Commission - June 24, 2025 b. Arts & Culture Commission - June 11, 2025
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ADJOURNMENT
c. Commission on the Status of Women - June 21 , 2025
d. Community Police Oversight Commission - June 12, 2025 e. Environmental Advisory Commission - June 10, 2025
f. Human Services Commission - June 11, 2025
g. Library Commission-June 18, 2025
h. Northwest Commission - June 17,2025
i. Recreation and Parks Commission - June 3, 2025
j. Senior Commission-June 3, 2025
k. Transportation Advisory Commission - June 26, 2025
1. Urban Forestry Advisory - June 11, 2025
Following brief discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
The Committee expressed appreciation and gratitude to
Councilmember Lyon for his thoughtful input and passionate advocacy related to the Legislative Policy Committee's work.
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Legislative Policy fa& adjqjyi7ie(^6t ^A7 p.m.
I)
Counbil(^rrT1bfersteveMadison, Chair
Legislative Policy Committee
ATTEST:
(^
Betty Gao
Recording Secretary
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