OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
SPECIAL ITEM
u
CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
August 18, 2025-5:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. (Absent: Councilmembers hlampton and Jones)
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the following closed session item:
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: 615 S Catalina Ave LLC v. City of Pasadena, et aL
Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 24STCP02861
The above closed session item was discussed, with no reportable action at this time. The remaining closed session items were paused, with discussion to occur after the City Council's open session business was completed. See details below.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting reconvened at 6:07 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Congresswoman Laura Friedman.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Tyron Hampton (absent)
Councilmember Justin Jones (absent)
Councilmember Jason Lyon
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Acting City Manager Matt Hawkesworth
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
PRESENTATIONAL UPDATE BY CONGRESSWOMAN LAURA
FRIEDMAN ON FEDERAL ISSUES, PROJECTS, AND
PROGRAMS RELATED TO THE CITY OF PASADENA
U.S. Congresswoman Laura Friedman provided an update on federal legislation and spoke on her legislative efforts to restore essential healthcare, advocate for fire resiliency, assist Eaton Fire victims, and implement identification requirements for federal agents.
Council Minutes108/18/2025
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
The City Council thanked Congresswoman Friedman for advocating for Pasadena and other essential federal legislation on various matters.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, thanked Congresswoman Friedman for advocating for privacy policies and ethical technology.
On order of the Mayor, and consensus of the City Council, the presentation was received and filed.
The following individuals provided comments on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocated for the City to divest from specific companies:
Maryam, residence not stated
Michael Bannoura, Pasadena resident
Rachel Darling, Pasadena resident
Ten Stein, Pasadena resident
Hedab Tarif, Pasadena resident
Olden Denham, Pasadena resident, advocated for continued discussion on AB392 at a future Public Safety Committee meeting.
Rachel Wing, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding recent federal immigration raids and urged the City Council to support State Senate Bill 805 (No Vigilantes Act).
The following individuals advocated for the City Council to accept an invitation for a cultural exchange visit to Guanajuato, Mexico and/or provided comments related to forming a formal sister-city relationship with Guanajuato, Mexico:
Rene Gonzalez, Pasadena resident
Elvia Aragon, Pasadena resident
Phillis Griffin, Pasadena resident
In response to public comment, Councilmember Madison requested to agendize a proposal for a Sister City relationship with Guanajuato, Mexico for discussion.
Adam Bray-Ali, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the funding model of the Pasadena Rental hlousing Board and the budget of the Rent Stabilization Department.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding safety and security matters related to the Tournament of Roses Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl Game.
Council Minutes208/18/2025
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT FOR AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $447,304 WITH
MAXIMUM TURBINE SUPPORT, INC., TO FURNISH AND
DELIVER SPRINT NOZZLES FOR THE GAS TURBINE AT THE
GLENARM POWER PLANT (Water & Power Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
(2) Award contract to the lowest and best bid dated July 2, 2025 submitted by Maximum Turbine Support, Inc., in response to the specification to furnish and deliver sprint nozzles for gas turbines, and authorize the City Manager to enter into a one-year contract for an amount not-to-exceed $447,304, which includes a base bid of $406,640 and a contingency of $40,664 to provide for any necessary change orders. (P.O. per staff)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH GE VERNOVA INC. (DBA GE VERNOVA
OPERATIONS LLC) FOR $2,916,936 FOR A CONTROL SYSTEM
UPGRADE FOR GAS TURBINES 3 AND 4 AT THE GLENARM
POWER PLANT (Water & Power Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b);
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a one year contract, without competitive bidding pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F), contracts for professional or unique services, with GE Vernova Inc. (dba GE Vernova Operations LLC) for the hardware and software to perform a control system upgrade of the Gas Turbine 3 ("GT-3") and Gas Turbine 4 ("GT-4"), for an amount not-to-exceed $2,916,936, which includes a base contract amount of $2,566,060 and a contingency of $350,876 to provide for any necessary change orders(Contract No. 33351); and
(3) Grant the recommended contract an exemption from the Competitive Selection process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.049(8) contracts for which the City's best interests are served.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH AG COAST CORPORATION (DBA
CALIFORNIA PANTHER SECURITY) FOR SECURITY SERVICES
FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $3,099,080
FOR FIVE YEARS INCLUDING TWO OPTIONAL EXTENSIONS
(Water & Power Dept.)
Council Minutes308/18/2025
Item discussed separately
L.
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract, as a result of the competitive selection process, as specified by Section
4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, with AG Coast
Corporation dba California Panther Security ("AG Coast") for the Department of Water and Power Security Services for three years with the option for two additional one-year extensions subject to the approval of the City Manager for a grand total amount not-to-exceed $3,099,080, which includes the base contract amount of $2,694,850 and a contingency of $404,230 to provide for any necessary change orders. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) contracts for professional or unique services. (Contract No.33376)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND CONTRACT NO.
31978 WITH UTILITY TREE SERVICE, LLC., TO INCREASE THE
CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $1,800,000 FOR A REVISED TOTAL
AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $17,520,000 AND EXTEND THE
CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE FOR POWER LINE
CLEARANCE (Water & Power Dept.)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH INNOVATIVE INTERFACES INCORPORATED
TO PROVIDE INTEGRATED LIBRARY SYSTEM SUBSCRIPTION
SERVICES FOR A GRAND TOTAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED
$598,127 (Library & Information Services Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed action in the agenda report is not a project subject to the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to Section 21065 of CEQA and Sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3), and 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines, and as such, no environmental document pursuant to CEQA is required; and (2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a five-year contract with Innovative Interfaces Incorporated, as a result of a competitive selection process in accordance with Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.047, for integrated library system subscription services in an amount not-to-exceed $393,150 (including a base contract amount of $351,027 and a contingency of $42,123 for any necessary change orders), with the option for three additional one-year terms at an annual amount of $59,117 for year six, $60,804 year seven, and $62,541 year eight; and a contingency of $7,505 per year for change orders, subject to the City Manager's approval, for a maximum grand total contract amount not-to-exceed $598,127.
Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Article X Section 1002(F), Contracts for professional or unique services. (Contract No. 33332)
Council Minutes408/18/2025
City Council
RESIGNATIONS,
APPOINTMENTS, &
REAPPOINTMENTS
APPROVAL OF THE 2025 UPDATE TO THE CITY OF PASADENA
TRANSIT DIVISION TITLE VI PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH
TITLE VI OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 (Transportation Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed actions in the agenda report are exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3); and
(2) Approve the 2025 update to the City of Pasadena Transit Division Title VI Program.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND CONTRACT NO.
31704 WITH DATA TICKET, INC., TO EXTEND THE TERM FOR
TWO YEARS AND INCREASE THE CONTRACT AMOUNT BY
$1,200,000 THEREBY INCREASING THE GRAND TOTAL TO A
NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $4,086,665, FOR PARKING
CITATION AND PERMIT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (Transportation
Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b)
(2) Authorize the City Manager to amend Contract No. 31704 with Data Ticket, Inc., for a parking citation and permit management system, increasing the contract amount of $2,886,665 by $1,200,000 for a new not-to-exceed amount of $4,086,665, and extending the term of the contract for two years (Contract No. 31704-3); and (3) Grant the proposed contract amendment with Data Ticket, Inc., an exemption from the Competitive Selection Process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code Section 4.08.049(8), contracts for which the City's best interests are served.
DESIGNATION OF MAYOR GORDO AS PRIMARY VOTING
DELEGATE AND COUNCILMEMBER LYON AS THE
ALTERNATE VOTING DELEGATE FOR THE LEAGUE OF CA
CITIES ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND EXPO TO BE HELD ON
OCTOBER 8-10, 2025 IN LONG BEACH,CA
APPOINTMENT OF VICTOR M. GORDO AS THE CITY OF
PASADENA'S REPRESENTATIVE TO THE FOOTHILL TRANSIT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (City Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF RICK COLE AS THE CITY OF PASADENA'S
ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE FOOTHILL TRANSIT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS (City Nomination)
Council Minutes508/18/2025
City Clerk/ Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED
APPOINTMENT OF RICK COLE AS THE CITY OF PASADENA'S
ALTERNATE MEMBER ON THE BURBANK-GLENDALE-
PASADENA REGIONAL HOUSING TRUST BOARD, A JOINT
POWERS AUTHORITY, CREATED PURSUANT TO SENATE BILL
NO. 1177 (City of Pasadena Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF RUTHE HOLDEN TO THE DEFERRED
COMPENSATION OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE EFFECTIVE
SEPTEMBER 1, 2025 (City Council Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF MELLY ROSEHAVEN TO THE
ACCESSIBILITY AND DISABILITY COMMISSION (At Large
Nomination/District 3)
APPOINTMENT OF BRIAN WALLACE TO THE PASADENA
PLAYHOUSE PARKING METER ZONE ADVISORY COMMISSION
(At Large Nomination/District 4)
APPOINTMENT OF CHERYL RIZZO TO THE PASADENA
PLAYHOUSE PARKING METER ZONE ADVISORY COMMISSION
(At Large Nomination/District 7)
APPOINTMENT OF BRIAN ALAN BAKER TO THE PASADENA
PLAYHOUSE PARKING METER ZONE ADVISORY COMMISSION
(At Large Nomination/District 7)
APPOINTMENT OF BOGHOS PATATIAN TO THE RECREATION
AND PARKS COMMISSION (At Large Nomination/District 2)
APPOINTMENT OF VIBIANA APARICIO-CHAMBERLIN TO THE
LIBRARY COMMISSION (Mayor Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF KATIE GREEN TO THE PASADENA CENTER
OPERATING COMPANY BOARD (Hotel Nomination)
APPOINTMENT OF CHARLES A. FUSCO TO THE PASADENA
CENTER OPERATING COMPANY BOARD (Hotel Nomination)
RESIGNATION OF CY WARREN ESTABROOK FROM THE
ACCESSIBILITY AND DISABILITY COMMISSION (Mayor
Nomination)
July 14, 2025
July 14, 2025
July 21, 2025
July 21, 2025
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
Council Minutes608/18/2025
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
July 28, 2025
July 28, 2025
August 4, 2025
August 4, 2025
August 11, 2025
August 11, 2025
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
Claim No. Claimant
2026-0017 Domingo Oregon
2026-0018 Maya Gelshtein
2026-0019 Raul Cervantes
2026-0020 Jennell Wadell Davis
2026-0021 Duplicate to Claim No. 2026-0020
2026-0022 Patrick Anson Doheny III
2026-0023 Peng Feng
2026-0024 Angelita M. O'Brien
2026-0025 Suzettte Dutch
2026-0026 Melissa Bone
2026-0027 Duplicate to Claim No. 2026-0025
2026-0028 Arroyo Parkway Pasadena, LLC
2026-0029 Marianne Sawaya
2026-0030 Marlena Schwenck
2026-0031 Armand Avazian
2026-0032 State Farm Mutual Auto Ins Co
a/s/o Dianne Lopez
2026-0033 Dianne Lopez
2026-0034 Khatherine Smith
2026-0035 Duplicate to Claim No. 2025-0302
2026-0036 Marites Deang
2026-0037 Mercury Insurance
2026-0038 Kevork Manoukian
2026-0039 Carlos Rodolfo Gonzalez
2026-0040 Kenya Anzures
2026-0041 Christine Iwamiya
2026-0042 Jordan Washington
2026-0043 Osirisius Daniels
Claim Amount
$10,000.00+
Not stated
Not stated
35,000.00+
N/A
5,000.00
4,000.00
6,650.00
200.00
35,000.00+
N/A
10,000,00+
3,037.71
3,826.53
10,000.00+
10,000.00+
35,000.00+
35,000.00+
N/A
35,000.00+
Not stated
1,600.00
10,000.00+
35,000.00+
467.94
50.00 10,000.00+
City Clerk Jomsky reported that two letters in opposition to the staff recommendations for Items 1 and 2, and/or expressing concerns with the City investing in the Glen Arm Power Plant, were received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record.
Council Minutes708/18/2025
MOTION:
CONSENT ITEMS
DISCUSSED
SEPARATELY
MOTION:
PUBLIC HEARING
It was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar with the exception of Item 4. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent:
Councilmembers Hampton and Jones)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO AMEND CONTRACT NO.
31978 WITH UTILITY TREE SERVICE, LLC., TO INCREASE THE
CONTRACT AMOUNT BY $1,800,000 FOR A REVISED TOTAL
AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $17,520,000 AND EXTEND THE
CONTRACT EXPIRATION DATE FOR POWER LINE
CLEARANCE (Water & Power Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is not a "project" subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to amend Contract No. 31978 with Utility Tree Service, LLC ("UTS") to increase the contract amount by $1,800,000 thereby increasing the total to a not-to-exceed amount of $17,520,000 and extend the contract expiration date to January 31, 2026. (Contract No. 31978-3)
Mike Polka, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding the appropriate timing for trimming trees and prevention of diseases, and advocated for the City to implement a tree trimming schedule and policy.
It was moved by Councilmember Masuda, seconded by Vice Mayor Rivas, to approve Consent Calendar Item 4. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmembers Hampton and Jones)
APPROVE SUBSTANTIAL AMENDMENT TO THE 2021 AND 2024
ANNUAL ACTION PLANS FOR THE COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT AND HOME INVESTMENT
PARTNERSHIP ACT FUNDS (Housing Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the recommended action in the agenda report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines per Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment;
(2) Approve the submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of a Substantial Amendment to the 2021 Annual Action Plan as described in the agenda report for a grant allocation increase of $4,530 and allocation of $200,000 in non-committed HOME Partnership Act funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act;
J
Council Minutes808/18/2025
MOTION:
MOTION:
ORDINANCE - FIRST
READING
(3) Approve the submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) of a Substantial Amendment to the 2024 Annual Action Plan as described in the agenda report for the reprogramming of $588,078 in Community Development Block Grant funds;and
(4) Authorize the City Manager to execute any and all documents necessary to effectuate recommendations #2 and #3.
City Clerk Jomsky reported that the public hearing notice was published on July 17, 2025 in the Pasadena Press, and that no correspondence was received by the City Clerk's office for this item.
James Wong, Director of Housing, provided a brief overview of the item.
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Masuda, to close the public hearing. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmembers Hampton and Jones)
It was moved by Councilmember Cole, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the staff recommendation. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmembers Hampton and Jones)
Conduct first reading of "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AMENDING VARIOUS SECTIONS OF TITLE 16
(SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE), CHAPTERS 16.08, 16.16, 16.28,
AND 16.36, OF THE CITY OF PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO
MODIFY PROCEDURES FOR APPROVAL OF A SUBDIVISION
CONTRACT"
City Attorney Bagneris reported that two minor modifications were made to the proposed ordinance, adding to Section 3, Paragraph D, second sentence, stating "The citv manager shall ensure the citv council reviews the delegation no less frequently than once every ten years", and replacing the term "board of directors" under Section 4 to read "16.28.340 - Presentation to city council".
The ordinance above was introduced by Councilmember Lyon:
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Lyon, Madison, Masuda, Vice
Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers Hampton and Jones
ABSTAIN: None
Council Minutes908/18/2025
ORDINANCE-SECOND
READING
RECESS TO CLOSED
SESSION
J
Adopt "AN UNCODIFIED ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PASADENA AUTHORIZING THE SETTING OF THE FISCAL
YEAR 2025-26 TAX RATE FOR THE CITY'S GENERAL
OBLIGATION BONDS (CENTRAL LIBRARY PROJECT)
APPROVED BY THE VOTERS AT THE NOVEMBER 5, 2024
STATEWIDE GENERAL ELECTION AND REQUESTING AND
AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES TO LEVY A
TAX ON ALL REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF PASADENA AS
A VOTER APPROVED LEVY WITH RESPECT TO SAID BONDS"
(Ordinance No. 7453)
The ordinance above was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Lyon, Madison, Masuda, Vice
Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmembers Hampton and Jones
ABSTAIN: None
Mayor Gordo expressed the need to review subject matter jurisdiction of City Council Committees and proposed creating an additional committee to discuss matters related to planning, homelessness, and affordable housing. He announced that an ad hoc committee, consisting ofCouncilmembers Cole, Hampton, Lyon and himself, has been created to review such matters.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council recessed to closed session to discuss the remaining closed session items at 7:03 p.m., as follows:
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: Pedro Vasquez Perdomo v. Kristi Noem, et al.
U.S. District Court Case No.: 2:25-cv-05605-MEMF-SP
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH REAL
PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.8
Property Location: 434-470 North Lake Avenue
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Agency Negotiator: Matthew Hawkesworth, Assistant City
Manager
Negotiating Parties: Bridge Housing, City Ventures, Community Builders Group (CBG), Cypress Equity Investments (CEI), Fidelis Advisors, Holos Communities & Heritage Housing
Partners, LA Family Housing, Mercy Housing, The Olson
Company, Urban Coalition, USA Properties & Waterford
Company, West Hollywood Community Housing Corporation
Council Minutes1008/18/2025
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
CITY COUNCIL CLOSED SESSION CONFERENCE WITH REAL
PROPERTY NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code
Section 54956.8
Property Location: 434-470 North Lake Avenue
Under Negotiation: Price and terms of payment
Agency Negotiator: Matthew Hawkesworth, Assistant City
Manager
Negotiating Party: Joyce L. Chang, Real Estate Division, Chief Executive Office, County of Los Angeles
The above three closed session items were discussed, with no reportable action at this time.
CONSIDERATION OF INITIATION OF LITIGATION pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4) (one potential case)
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
regarding significant exposure to potential litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): One (1) case
The above two closed session items were not discussed.
Onordr
jouma
of
3t
the Mayor, the^ regular meeting of the City Council
10:00 p.m.
M
Victor M. Gordo, Mayor
City of Pasadena
Ole CTfy
Council Minutes1108/18/2025