OPENING
CITY OF PASADENA
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER - S249
JULY 08, 2025
MEETING
The Chair called the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee to order at 4:06 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
PUBLIC COMMENT
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
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
Greg de Vinck, Director of Public Works
Ribeka Toda, Engineer of Department of Transportation
Sebastian Hernandez, Principal Planner of Department of Transportation
Garrett Crawford, Public Works Administrator
Lisa Hosey, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
Cynthia Cannady, representing Pasadena 100, urged the Committee to develop a solidified plan in response to climate emergency and provided information regarding residential solar tax credit.
Carlos Javelera, Pasadena resident, urged staff to engage and educate residents on federal solar tax incentives, solar installation process, and Net Energy Metering (NEM).
Joan Chin, Pasadena resident, voiced concerns related to the health of the tree that was replaced at Robinson Park Recreation Center, Fair Oaks Avenue side of the center.
It was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the minutes of May 13, 2025, as submitted. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
AMEND SECTION 4.19.040 OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE
TO UPDATE THE TRAFFIC REDUCTION AND TRANSPORTAION
IMPROVEMENT FEE FOR EXISITING LAND USE CATEGORIES
AND TO ADD NEW LAND USE CATEGORIES TO THE FEE
STRUCTURE
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, and Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, provided introductory comments, and Ribeka Toda, Engineer of Department of Transportation, and John Muggridge, (City consultant) Principal of Fehr & Peers, jointly summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on recommendations, background, funding breakdown, existing fee overview, nexus analysis, 07/08/2025
INFORMATION ONLY
02 project list, proposed changes and fees, fee comparison, and targeted stakeholder outreach, with both responding to questions.
Councilmember Cole expressed concerns with the methodology used to develop the proposed Traffic Reduction and Transportation Improvement Fee (TR/TIF), noting that he is not criticizing staff as he understands the data used is what is available, and expressed concerns with the number of unfunded projects. He advocated for staff to lower the TR/TIF for New Development Projects for Multi-Family per dwelling unit rate. In addition, Councilmember Cole spoke on the importance of building Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) and advocated for a significant reduction or gradual sliding scale ofADU fees.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the staff recommendations, amended as "no fee be assessed for ADUs because it is de minimis in terms of the amount it will generate", with the option for staff to provide additional recommendations related to ADD fees; and forward the item to the City Council for consideration and further discussion. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton)
UPDATE ON PASADENA TRANSIT ZERO-EMISSION ROLLOUT
PLAN
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, provided introductory comments, and Sebastian Hernandez, Principal Planner of Department of Transportation, summarized the memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on background, rollout plan, propulsion technologies, Transit Operations Maintenance Facility (TOMF), history changes in operational needs, hydrogen fueling station, environmental impact, Zero-Emission Bus (ZEB) transition update, ZEB projects, next steps, with all responding to questions.
Rudy LeFlore, (City consultant) representing The LeFlore Group, highlighted the potential operational challenges with battery-electric buses, including charging-related risks and infrastructure costs; and responded to questions.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that one 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.
The following individuals provided comments on the matter:
Darrell Clarke, representing Sierra Club Angeles Chapter Lauren Siegel, Pasadena resident
The Committee recessed at 5:28 p.m. and reconvened at 5:30 p.m.
Councilmember Cole expressed skepticism with the City using green hydrogen to fuel the City's Fuel Cell Electric Buses, noting its energy inefficiency in comparison to the direct use of renewable energy.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
07/08/2025
MASTER STREET TREE PLAN UPDATE
PUBLIC COMMENT
(Continued)
ADJOURNMENT
Greg de Vinck, Director of Public Works, provided introductory comments, and Garrett Crawford, Public Works Administrator, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the City's Master Tree Plan history and background, tree species recommendations, current tree inventory, draft guiding principles, and responded to questions.
Councilmember Cole encouraged staff to continue planting native oak trees throughout the City; and emphasized the need to include native trees and trees that provide considerable amount of shade as an explicit part of tree planning in the City.
Councilmember Lyon echoed Councilmember Cole's comments related to prioritizing the planning of trees for shade in the City and advised staff to include phasing out fire-prone trees in the future.
Chair Jones asked staff to provide information on how staff prioritizes tree planning and advocated for an Arbor Day event in Northwest Pasadena or District 3.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
Solar Vie Aguilar, residence not stated, provided information on a meter socket adapter and advocated for the City to utilize the equipment on City meters.
In response to public comment, Chair Jones, responded that staff will reach out to Mr. Aguilar for additional information.
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee was adjourned at 5:58 p.m.
Councilmem^ier Jus.ti-ri.Jones, Chair
Municipal Services Committee
ATTEST:
Betty ~Gao
Recording Secretary
0307/08/2025