CITY OF PASADENA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MINUTES
JULY 15, 2025-5:00 P.M.
MEETING
OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Hampton called the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee to order at 5:15 p.m.
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton, Chair
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas (Via teleconference)
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Klug, Director of Economic Development
Jennifer Paige, Director of Planning and Community Development Jim Wong, Director of Housing
Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development
Stacie Takeguchi, Chief Assistant General Manager
Guille Nunez, Principal Planner of Planning and Community Development
Brent Maue, City Engineer
Caroline Nelson, Program Coordinator II
Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney, reported that Vice Mayor Rivas will be participating via teleconference, per the "just cause" exception pursuant to Government Code Section 59453(f)(2)(A)(i).
Sonja Berndt, Pasadena resident, requested a hotel master lease update and voiced concerns with the City's efforts with helping homeless individuals.
In response to Sonja Berndt's comments, Chair Hampton asked, Jim Wong, Director of hlousing, to reach out to Ms. Berndt with information on the Economic Development Committee meeting that will discuss homelessness in the City.
INFORMATION ONLY CAPTURA — CALTECH STARTUP INTRODUCTION David Klug, Director of Economic Development, provided introductory comments, and Christene Banda, Chief Operating Officer of Captura, presented the Powerpoint and video presentation on the item, including providing information on the company's mission, background, progression, and facility; and responded to questions.
Councilmember Madison and Chair Hampton encouraged Captura to collaborate with the Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC), Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), and Foothill Workforce Development Board.
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The Committee thanked Captura and expressed appreciation for their good work.
Following a brief discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Vice Mayor Rivas, to approve the minutes of May 20, 2025, as submitted:
AYES: Councitmembers Lyon, Madison, Vice Mayor Rivas, Chair Hampton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
NEW BUSINESS
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CONTINUED DISCUSSION — PROPOSED FEE REDUCTIONS FOR
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES DESTROYED
BY THE EATON FIRE
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that for eligible properties (as defined in this report) the following related to fees for rebuilding a home destroyed by the Eaton Fire:
1) Waive Plan check building permittees collected into the Building Fund (204) and the General Fund (101) with a total estimated cost of $3,203,500;
2) Reduce the Administrative Deposit for the Construction & Demolition Waste Management the Refuse Collection Fund (406) from
$1,500,000 to $125,000;
3) Waive Sidewalk Inspection Fees collected in the Project Management Fund (301) with a total cost amount of $14,250; and
4) Waive Fire Sprinkler and Landscape Review Fees collected in the Building Fund (204) with a total cost amount of $303,625.
Staff recommends for the following fees:
5) No waivers of Sidewalk Repair fees collected in the Project Management Fund (301) with a total estimated cost of $225,000; 6) No waiver of Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) fees collected in the Electric Service Fund (411 ) with a total estimated amount of $558,658; and
7) Defer discussion to a future date PWP fees collected in the Water Service Fund (412) with a total estimated amount of $2.25 million of PWP water service customers.
Jennifer Paige, Director of Planning and Community Development, provided introductory comments, and Guille Nunez, Principal Planning of Planning and Community, summarized the staff memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on staff's fee analysis and fees by other departments; with both responding to questions.
In response to Chair Hampton's inquiry on the sidewalk repair fee, City Engineer Brent Maue provided information on the City's sidewalk maintenance program and responded to questions.
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In response to Chair Hampton's inquiry related to the City's water meters, Chief Assistant General Manager Stacie Takeguchi provided information on the City's meter upgrade for fire sprinklers and responded to questions.
Chair Hampton requested staff to provide data on the City's underground service charge fees and determine whether those fees can be used to reduce the electric service costs.
The following individuals provided comments on the matter:
Tom Cali, Pasadena resident
Rayan Karim, Pasadena resident
Zetta M Robinson, Altadena resident
Heidi Higgihs, Pasadena resident
Totress Beasley, Pasadena resident
Natalie Majarran, Pasadena resident
Zaven Daghlian, Pasadena resident
David Sharkes, Pasadena resident
Jill Shook, representing Making Housing and Community Happen Jirair Keuroghlian, Pasadena resident
Totress Beasley, Pasadena resident
In response to Chair Hampton's inquiry regarding "like for like" reconstruction, Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development, responded that staff is working to maximize square footage, however additional stories beyond the original structure is not allowed.
Councilmember Lyon suggested using interest earned from the City's reserves to cover the electric service fees without impacting ratepayer funds.
Chair Hampton advocated to waive all building permit fees related to the reconstruction of single-family homes destroyed by the Eaton Fire, including the sidewalk fees, specifically for owners who will be living in their reconstructed homes, but for owners who choose to sell their properties, the new owners should be billed all building and permitting fees.
Following discussion, Councilmember Lyon recommended deferring waiving the 412-Water Service Costs fee as staff has not determined if the interest earned fee is able to cover the full amount of the Water Service Costs fee; and voiced support of Chair Hamptons recommendation with the exception of waiving the Water Service Costs fee.
Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney, stated that staff will review relevant Pasadena City Charter Sections 1405- The Use of Funds, and 1406 - Investment of Funds to assess the use of funds for electric service costs and provide an update to the City Council.
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 public record.
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INFORMATION ONLY
Following further discussion, it was moved by Chair Hampton, seconded by councilmember Lyon, to waive all permit fees for the reconstruction of single-family homes destroyed by the Eaton Fire, with the exception of 412- Water Service Costs fee, and forward the item to the City Council for consideration and discussion:
AYES: Councilmembers Lyon, Madison, Vice Mayor Rivas, Chair Hampton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
AUTHORIZE THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLICATION TO THE
BURBANK-GLENDALE-PASADENA REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST
FOR FUNDING IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,000,000 FOR AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT AT 213 N. HILL AVENUE
Jim Wong, Director of Housing, provided introductory comments, and Caroline Nelson, Program Coordinator, summarized the agenda report as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on project site, background, fiscal impact, and proposed recommendations, and responded to questions.
In response to Councilmember Madison's inquiry on services provided, Maura Johnson, Director of Housing from Abbey Road, provided information on intensive case management services provided, and responded to questions.
The following individuals provided comments on the matter:
Sonja Berndt, Pasadena resident
Jill Shook, representing Making Housing and Community Happen Following discussion, it was moved by Vice Mayor Rivas, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the staff recommendation and forward the item to the City Council for consideration and discussion:
AYES: Councilmembers Lyon, Madison, Vice Mayor Rivas, Chair Hampton
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS SUPPORT & INCENTIVES
Due to time constraints, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the economic development business support will be continued to a future Committee meeting.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BY DAVID A. KLUG,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
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ADJOURNMENT:
Due to time constraints, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the above reference item will be continued to a future Committee meeting.
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee was adjourned at 6:56 p.m.
ATTEST:
^k^
-^ Tyron Hampton, Chair
Economic Development and Technology Committee
Betty Gao
Recording Secretary
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