Attachment A
CITY OF PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
2^342025 Federal Legislative Platform
Guiding Principles
1.) Preserve and Enhance Federal Assistance to Local Governments: Declining federal funding for important domestic discretionary programs has severely limited the ability of the City to meet the needs of our most underserved citizensresidents.
Continued reductions would do little to reduce the federal deficit, but the effects on Pasadena families would be devastating.
2.) Oppose Federal Preemption of Local Authority: Pasadena opposes federal efforts to curb the ability of local governments to address matters traditionally handled on the local level— such as the imposition of taxes and fees, enforcement of zoning and land use regulations, or the ability to ensure the safety of our residents.
Declaration on the Middle East
In March 2024, the City issued a declaration regarding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has claimed the lives of many individuals in the region, caused immeasurable suffering to countless persons_7-aad-Ceontinued risk of death is imminent if the release of hostages and a ceasefire does not take place. As part of the declaration, the City calls on leaders at the federal level to continue to work cooperatively with the global coinmunity to release all hostages, seek bilateral de-escalation and ceasefire, ensure timely delivery of aid to Gaza, and pursue peace in the Middle East to guard and protect the lives, health, and security of all innocent civilians.
For more information about City positions on this topic please contact the City Manager's Officer^t (626) 744-4333.
Reconnecting Communities Funding
Through the City's collaborative multi-year effort with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the California Transportation Commission approved the relinquishment of the State Route 710 Northern Stub transportation network in June 2022^ and transferred ownership of the 60-acre area to the City in August 2022. The City is working with community stakeholders to identify future land uses and to define the local street network. The City supports continued federal and state funding for this project, which will include restoration efforts in line with the City's Complete Streets Policy, provisions for local mobility, neighborhood connectivity, and opportunities for development in line with the City's General Plan Guiding Principles. The City further supports funding for the U.S. Department of Transportation's Reconnecting Communities grant program.
For more information about City positions on this topic please contact the City Manager's Officer (626) 744-4333.
1 Pandemic Response
Direct and timely federal aid is the only way communities such aslike Pasadena are able to respond to a global pandemic such as COVID-19 and maintain continuity for vital services in areas such aslike public health, public safety, utility services, and outreach to the City's most vulnerable residents. The City is supportive of proposals to increase the federal cost share for the FEMA Public Assistance program to 100% for actions taken in relation to a pandemic. In addition, the City supports legislation and federal actions that would provide:
1) Direct fiscal assistance to local governments of all population sizes to address the catastrophic loss of revenue resulting from a global pandemic and similar natural disasters.
2) Direct fiscal assistance to local health jurisdictions to support expanded epidemiological functions such as case investigation, contact tracing, testing, afid vaccine distribution, and services that support family and child physical, mental health and wellness harmed by a pandemic, including access to food and housing, access to primary and preventive care services, and safety.
3) Direct fiscal assistance to publicly owned utilities to credit delinquent utility bills for their affected customers.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
• Finance Department: (626) 744-4355
Public Health Department: (626) 744-6000
• Housing Department: (626) 744-8300
Water and Power Department: (626) 744-440
Early Childhood Education
Improved access to high-quality, early childhood education, including pre-school, will help develop meaningful early learning solutions that support young children and their families. It is vital for early childhood education programs to have consistent, well-funded and diverse resources at the federal, state and local level. The City is supportive of legislation and funding to improve access to early learning and care so that young children, especially those from low- and middle-income families, can flourish during this critical childhood developmental period.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Manager's Office: (626) 744-4333
Housing Department: (626) 744-8300
Library and ilnformation Services Department: (626) 744-4066 Parks, Recreation and Community Services: (626) 744-4386 Public Health Department: Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health Program: (800) 304-0015 •
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Finance
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The City is concerned that the federal government has attempted to impose itself into the area of local taxation, a matter traditionally handled on the local level. PasadenaCity officials are better suited than the federal government to understand community needs and should have all the tools necessary to ensure the safety and health of the public while properly maintaining the public's largest investment, its infrastmcture.
The City supports:
Legislation to restore the tax break for advanced refunding bonds. Strongly opposes any effort to eliminate, or cap, the tax exempt status of municipal bonds (including private activity bonds), one of the few tools left for local governments to finance large capital projects.
Protection of federal Build America Bonds rebates from budget sequestration or any other proposed cuts to previously issued direct pay bonds.
The City opposes:
Any effort to eliminate or cap the tax-exempt status of municipal bonds (including private Activity bonds), one of the few tools left for local governments to finance large capital protects.
Legislative proposals to impose limits on governmental deferred compensation plans. •Attempts to exempt online travel companies from collecting state and local bed taxes when they re-sell hotel rooms to consumers shopping at their ilntemet sites.
Federal efforts to erode local authority by prohibiting state and local taxes and fees in areas such as wireless services, video services (including^ but not limited to, internet protocol (iiIPPl:) enabled, streaming, and over-the-top services), and the sale of digital goods.
Mandatory participation in Social Security for local government employees covered by other retirement and/or pension systems.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Finance Department at (626) 744-4355.
Utilities
The City-e^asadeaa, through its Department of Pasadena Water and Power (^PWP12), operates its own municipal utility and as a result, is subject to federal programs and oversight in a number of areas. As a provider of electricity, the City has set ambitious goals with regard to the use of renewable energy. In addition, the City Council declared a climate emergency on January 30, 2023, and set a goal to source 100% of Pasadena's electricity from carbon free sources by 2030.
Wliile federal resources that help us-achieve these goals are encouraged, unfunded federal mandates in this area may hinder ew-efforts by forcing usPWP to focus resources in ways that may not be in the best interest of-euF PWP customers. 30342025 Federal Legislative Platform3
A c,a provider of water, theThe City is committed to providing safe drinking water to itePWP customers and supports federal efforts to impose standards that are based on sound scientific principles and protocols.
The City supports:
• A swift decision by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assess legal responsibility to polluters forthat contaminates such as perchlorate in the City's groundwater supply, including in the Pasadena sub-area basin initiated from the current NASA/JPL superfund site.
Increased federal investments in utility infrastmcture projects such as water supply and distribution system replacement and upgrades, water reuse, water quality treatment, stormwater management, utility modernization (e.g. advanced metering infrastmcture)^ energy storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, power plant emissions retrofits, smart grid implementation, replacement of inefficient generators, and construction of transmission lines to access renewable energy generation.
Federal initiatives that avoid duplicative climate policies and are designed to lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while urging consideration of technical feasibility, costs to ratepayers, as well as the time that it will take utilities to come into compliance with proposed initiatives.
Federal initiatives to reduce greenhouse gasGHG emissions from the transportation sector through increased incentives for electric vehicles and funding for associated infrastructure.
Federal initiatives to reduce greenhouse gasGHG emissions from commercial and residential buildings through incentives and policies that support building electrification.
Federal incentives for renewable energy, such as the Clean Renewable Energy Bond (CREB) program.
• Modifications to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERQ transmission rate incentive policies that take into account for the additional costs to ratepayers.
Hydro-power refonn legislation and funding to facilitate development of new hydropower projects, particularly small and in-conduit hydropower development, as well as promoting more efficient hydropower re-licensing process.
Federal efforts to encourage, but not mandate, increased energy and water-use efficiency as well as federal assistance to encourage or meet operational improvements within the City.
Changes to the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program to provide assistance toward for 100% of the cost of a project. In addition, the City is supportive of the WIFIA program for local and regional water supply projects that help protect against drought related shortages or supply interruptions.
Federal resources to address severe western drought conditions, including increased funding for water reuse infrastructure and storage.
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Federal flmding for ¥be Cityls water reuse projects, which will enhance local water supply reliability and could provide approximately 10 to- 25 percent% of the City's water demand by delivering additional water supplies for groundwater recharge, new development, landscape irrigation and other uses in the future.
Federal funding for ffhe Arroyo Seco Canyon Project, including repairs and upgrades to the stream intake structure.and spreading basins needed for stormwater capftire and groundwater recharge, which were significantly damaged in the 2009 Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest, which came about after events related to the 2009 Station Fire in the Angeles National Forest caused significant damage to PWP's water diversion facilities in the Arroyo Seco Canyon area. Repairs and upgrades to the stream intake structure and spreading basins are needed to allow capturing of stormwatcr mn off from nearby mountains that will filter into the aquifer and recharge the groundwater basin. Ultimately, this project will restore Pasadenathe City's ability to utilize its long-standing surface water rights. Replenishing local groundwater allows for increased local supply resilience and helps optimize the utilization of regional and local water resources. The project will revitalize a portion of the Arroyo Seco stream, improve ecosystem health, and enhance the experience for recreational users. • EPA's role to address constituents of concern for drinking water through reasonable protocols and sound, science-based standards.
Federal efforts to address legacy contamination issues such as Per-_and Poly; fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) and other chemicals, which may have been released into the environment resulting from national defense initiatives.
Federal and state funding to improve California's headwaters, which provide flow to surface and groundwater supplies, and are critical to sustain local watersheds. Funding to implement local strategies will help create more resilient forests, improve wildfire mitigation, and help provide communities with clean, reliable water.
Annual appropriations for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) at the Department of Energy at least at the FY 2022 level of $550 million.
Pasadena The City has several energy efficiency initiatives that would benefit from the flexible funding that EECBG provides.
The City opposes:
Efforts to change the cost-based rates used by the federal Power Marketing Administrations (iiPMA22). Such changes would significantly increase costs for Pasadenathe City, which entered into a 50-year contract with the Western Area PMA for hydroelectric power from the Hoover Dam.
Efforts that would allow multiple federal agencies to have regulatory authority over cybersecurity efforts related to the power system. The public-private partnership agreement between industry and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) and overseen by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), to implement mandatory cybersecurity standards should be preserved. Rather, the City sSupports bipartisan cybersecurity and information sharing legislation. Supportand a 30342025 Federal Legislative Platform5
risk-based approach to prioritizing assets that require protection^ and opposes mandatory compliance with "one size fits all" security regulations that circumvent local control of City assets.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Water and Power Department at (626) 744-4409.
Public Safety
Federal assistance for local police, fire, and homeland security initiatives has been declining for several years, and as a result, communities like Pasadena have been left to maintain public safety services largely on their own. The City believes there is a place for federal contributions to local public safety and homeland security efforts.
The City supports:
• Increased federal resources for law enforcement recmiting efforts and^r training, particularly? as it relates to de-escalation and proportional use of force, and maintenance of body-worn camera programs.
_Non-traditional crime prevention activities such as federal homeless assistance, mental health programs, and substance abuse initiatives.
• The City supports ilncreased federal resources for these efforts to increase awareness, public education, and training opportunities as well as grant programs that provide direct funding to cities to implement local strategies. •_Legislation and funding to reduce and prevent gun violence, crimes, dmg use, and gang violence,-aftd^
Legislation and funding to promote public outreach and intervention programs that specifically divert juveniles from the criminal justice system. • Providing local jurisdictions-with-^ederal funding to support_City implementation of the themes from the Pillars of 21st Cenhiry Policing, as developed by President Obama's Task Force on 21s Century Policing.
• Encouraging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to develop clear mles and regulations governing the use of drones and other unmanned aircraft systems in communities.
• Ongoing procurement ofhighadvanced technology that helps mitigate dangerous situations, locate and arrest offenders, gather evidence, solve crimes, and protect public safety entities on the frontlines.
.Providing resources for prisoner re-integration and restorative justice programs, prevention of human trafficking, development of additional diversion programs, and programs for at-risk youth programs. In addition, the City supports • ILegislation. funding, and-aftd-resources to reduce recidivism^ and help rehabilitate recidivist offenders and expand funding for these efforts. 20342025 Federal Legislative Platfomi6
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Federal programs such as SAFER (firefighter hiring), COPS (police hiring), Violence Against Women Act programs, gang intervention programs, Assistance to Firefighters Grant program, Urban Area Security Initiative, and State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Emergency management training as well as equipment and technology purchases necessary for day-to-day operations, disaster planning^ and operation of a fully capable Emergency Operations Center.
Creating a voluntary federal patient registry to collect data on the incidence of cancer among firefighters.
FundmgJor.Sseismic upgrades and other urgent upgrades to seven of the eight City fire stations.
Increased funding for early warning earthquake systems. .Increased federal reimbursement rates for ambulance services and emergency medical services (EMS), and a^.
Additional funding for Mobile Integrated Health Programs.
Increased federal reimbursement for wildlandfee firefighting activities. .Efforts to change current FEMA disaster assistance reimbursement formulas that penalize small communities in large population states^
• dDevelopment of a reward system for communities that implement successful pre- disaster mitigation.
The City opposes:
Efforts to preempt local regulation of drone use in communities.
Efforts to deny federal funding to communities that may not have the resources to enforce all federal immigration laws.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
City Prosecutor's Office: (626) 744-4141
Finance Department: (626) 744-4355
• Fire Department: (626) 744-4655
Police Department: (626) 744-4501
Transportation
Maintaining and improving the City's transportation infrastructure is one of the highest priorities of Pasadena residents. The City urges federal actionCongress to craft a multi- year surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes the necessary resources to meet the urgent need of our multi-modal transportation system. Maintaining and improving the City's transportation infrastmcture is one of the highest priorities of Pasadena residents. Transportation projects in need of federal assistance in Pasadena that are partially or completely unfunded at this time are included below. 30342025 Federal Legislative Platform7
The City supports resources for:
Funding for rRepair of the Holly Street and San Rafael Bridges that span the Arroyo Seco. Theyse bridges are believed to be among the most vulnerable in the state.
Additionally, the City is supportive of resources to equip Pasadena bridges with suicide prevention barriers and other deterrent measures.
Funding for c€onstruction of a dedicated transit maintenance and operations facility to house and repair the growing fleet of Pasadena Transit buses as well as opportunities to apply for state or federal grant funding in order to maintain, at a minimum, the current fleet size in a state of good repair.
• Additional federal resources, including tax credits, to assist the CityResources, including tax credits, to assist in purchasing zero-emission buses and converting its existing transit fleet to hydrogen and battery electric, as well asestablishing hydrogen fueling and battery electric charging infrastmcture to sustain a zero-emissions fleet, as iand operating funds to secure and expand these services.
Efforts of the Southern San Fernanda Valley Airport Noise Task Force to convince urge_the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to consider changes to recent alternations to aircraft flight paths at Burbank and Van Nuys Airports that have had adverse noise impacts on several neighborhoods in the region.
Efforts of the Burbank Airport Authority to secure FAA funds for a-terminal replacement.
Funding for ffechnology fertowards the City's Intelligent Transportation System program.
GFunding for completion of the Foothill Extension of the Metro A Line Light Rail System from Azusa to Montclair.
FundmgJoLPasadena Transit^which is one of the largest (1.6 million annual trips pre- COVID-19) locally funded fixed route transit systems in Los Angeles County.s_andtiie City's mobility goal of being a city where people can circulate without a car. This bus system connects 1.6 million annual trips (pre COVID 19) to the regional transit network and is an essential transportation option allowing Pasadena to achieve its mobility goal of being a city where people can circulate without a car. As a locally funded transit agency in Los Angeles County, Pasadena is precluded by state statute from directly receiving most state and federal transit funds^. The options for, Ase access to City-eligible state and federal funding, either formula^ or grant; based, we-is extremely limited and the few funding opportunities that are available are met with significant competition.
• Funding opportunities to transition former highway corridors to neighborhood boulevards.
-Use ofTthe "Safe System Approach" - including through support of technologies, strategies, and policies that advance local road safety - to reduce collisions resulting in serious injuries and fatalities. It does so through This approach provides a holistic view of the road system that helps anticipate human mistakes and minimizes the harm caused to those involved when crashes occur. The City believes speed limits should be established at the local level based on knowledge of roadway segments, local context, 30342025 Federal Legislative Platform8
goals, engineering judgment, and the Safe System Approach principles. This includes funding to support technologies, strategies and policies that advance local road safety.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Transportation Department at (626) 744-7664.
Housing
Federal and state assistance to the City of Pasadena for the production of new affordable housing has vacillated significantly over the past decade, presenting difficult challenges as the City looks for ways to serve almost 7,500 very low-income households on its Section 8 voucher waiting list. -In addition, limited funding in programs such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) programs have hindered the City's ability to provide services to low-income neighborhoods and neighborsresidents who are experiencing homelessness.
The City urges policymakers to recognize that programs such as these have already suffered debilitating cuts and further cuts, through the annual appropriations process or budget sequestration, are likely to result in the denial of Section 8 renewals, the closing of tmsted community non-profit service providers, and other important pieces of the social safety net in the community. Specific actions in this area include:
The City supports:
Expansion of federal assistance to address the many issues related to homelessness in communities across the country.
Increased funding for HUD programs such as Section 8 assisted housing (including both tenant-based and project-based vouchers), CDBG, Section 108 loan program, and HOME.
Protection of the federal Affordable Housing Tmst Fund.
Programs that provide supportive services and housing services to seniors and residents with disablitiesed residents.
Enhancement of tax incentives that will promote affordable housing constmction, such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and New Markets Tax Credit.
The City opposes:
Cuts to caps on use ofHUD funds for administrative fees and oppose proposals to reduce administrative fees for housing assistance to non-income earning clients (this especially hurts programs for seniors and the disabledpeople with disabilities).
Proposals to prohibit the repayment ofHUD Section 108 loans with future CDBG allocations.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Housing Department at (626) 744-8300.
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Public Health
The City of Pasadena recognizes that many factors affect the health of the community, including changing population demographics, the built environment, healthcare services, and social determinants of health. As a result, the City utilizes a cross-departmental approach to address public health, one that promotes interdisciplinary programs such as:
youth violence prevention programs; outreach and linkage to services for people experiencing homelessness; affordable housing programs that also address mental health and substance use; and transportation improvements that support walkability and healthy food access. The nationally accredited Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD) provides core public health services and functions and also serves as a foundation for tfus the collective impact approach to improve the health of populations within the City and across the region.
The City seeks federal assistance to support a collaborative interdisciplinary public health model with the Pasadena Public Health DepartmentPPHD providing backbone support as a health strategy catalyst.
The City supports:
Increased funding for federal programs that support public health such as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Act programs, community health centers, bioterrorism response, communicable disease investigation capabilities, home visitation programs, immunizations. Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, chronic disease prevention programs, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) nutrition program.
Increased funding for tuberculosis (TB) prevention and treatment programs^ to identify and treat the increase in TB cases? and to make progress toward the goal ofTB elimination.
Efforts to increase access to affordable health care coverage, and to increase the number of insured people.
Continued funding for U.S. Centers for Disease Control programs for community health and related public health infrastructure, including workforce retention, workforce development, and information technology.
Increased funding to address the dramatic rise in STD rates and protect funding for family planning programs that prevent the spread ofHIV and STDs.
Resources for mental health and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
To address health equity, sSupport for ILegislation that protects the rights of diverse populations, the LGBTQ+ community, and of women (including reproductive rights), to support improved health outcomes and health equity.
To address social determinants of health, support for ILegislation that aims to identify and resolve the effects of institutional racism that drive health inequities in the population in order to address social determinants of health. 30342025 Federal Legislative Platform10
• Violence prevention research and programs, including reducing the risk of gun violence in our community.
Federal funding to local health department jurisdictions in support of preparedness, response, and recovery activities in the event of an infectious disease outbreak, epidemic or pandemic, or natural and marmiade disasters.
Local, City-based collective impact initiatives to improve outcomes for child health, wellness, and education. Specifically, support for funding to prevent or mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), reduce racial disparities in infant mortality and maternal perinatal outcomes, ei-and improve the rates of kindergarten readiness among pre-school age children.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Public Health Department at (626) 744-6000.
Technology
The City supports legislative initiatives and funding to promote the use of data and technology to create efficiencies, promote economic development, enhance public safety, improve transportation and mobility, improve sustainability, enhance municipal quality of life factors, and help solve other civic challenges.
The City supports:
• Legislation regarding cybersecurity and information sharing reform, as well as federal resources to assist local government in meeting the challenges of cybersecurity. • Federal efforts to encourage investment in expanding fiber optic technology to homes^ and local government input in the distribution of financial incentives to meet community-specific needs.
Federal assistance for the Interagency Communication Interoperability (ICI), a regional effort to ensure communications interoperability.
Legislative initiatives and funding to advance economic and digital inclusion and equity for all constituents, including access to computers, high-speed fintemet, and similar technology; and to provide training in computer, cybersecurity, and technology skills.
Policies, legislation, and funding to increase the number of households and businesses which have access to low-cost or free high-speed and reliable Internet as well as low- cost or free quality, Intemet-enabled technology devices and technical support.
Policies, legislation, and grants that treat Internet access as an eligible utility for federal housing vouchers and other subsidies.
Policies, legislation and funding that ensure transparency, accountability and nondiscrimination of data, content, and algorithms.
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Policies, legislation, and funding that promotes responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in government services, ensuring AI is developed and deployed transparently, with clear accountability, and without bias.
The City opposes:
Legislative and regulatory efforts to curb the ability of local governments to charge telecommunication providers fairly and reasonablye compensation for the use and maintenance of public rights-of-way.
Federal intrusion into local permitting and zoning laws with respect to siting of telecommunications facilities.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Information Technology Department at (626) 744-4220.
Workforce Development
The Foothill Workforce Investment Board provides job training and job seeking services to City residents of Pasadena and neighboring communities. Services are funded primarily through federal resources, but the City also provides local funding to a successful summer youth employment program. During the most recent economic downturn, local employment and training programs were stretched thin, so federal support in this area is particularly critical ifl-to_the effort to maintain and enhance a skilled workforce.
The City supports:
Implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that allows for continued flexibility and the primacy of the one-stop system as the presumed deliverer of employment and training services, as well as strong local participation and governance in the workforce investment board process. • Long-term federal investment in summer youth employment w-and WIOA reauthorization that would be linked to locally developed and supported summer jobs and internship efforts.
Increased federal investments in apprenticeship programs.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Manager's 0fficeat(626)744-4333.
Parks, Recreation and Community Services
The City's Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department sponsors a variety of programs for some of the City's neediestmost disadvantaged neighborhoods and families.
It also serves as the primary liaison to the Pasadena Unified School District. Working in tandem with other City departments, some important federal actions to support include increased resources for:
After-school and childcare programs.
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Programs that improve recreational opportunities in the community, including those that recognize the impacts of strict water conservation measures on recreational facilities.
Parks, recreation, health, and fitness programs.
Gang-related diversion initiatives and anti-bullying measuresprograms.
Capital improvements to aging parks and recreation facilities, as well as federal funding opportunities for facility operations and maintenance costs. -Measures that maintain and strengthen funding for workforce development initiatives that provide innovative work and school-based programs.
Additionally, maintaining and enhancing the City's parks and recreational system is a high priority for PasadenaCity residents, and the City has committed significant resources to offering safe and accessible recreational opportunities. Although federal assistance in the areas of recreation, preservation, and conservation has declined sharply, the City believes there is a federal role for assisting local governments with these matters.
The City supports:
Efforts to bring back the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery (UPARR) program, where the City believes the small federal commitment provided great benefits to a number of communities across the country.
The National Park Service proposal to protect additional lands and habitats in the area by adding the "Rim of the Valley" comdor to the existing Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with the understanding that the proposal retains existing local land use and regulatory authorities, fire prevention policies, water rights, and utility infrastructure systems.
Federal funding and swift completion of the feasibility study for the Arroyo Seco Ecosystem Restoration Project, being conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, in conjunction with the Los Angeles County Flood Control District.
Additional federal resources for local tree planting initiatives.
Federal funding to combat climate change by providing funds for shade stmctures within City parks at parks to cover play equipment, bleachers, and other park amenities.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department at (626) 744-4386.
Library Services
In 2021, the City identified critical infrastructu-e needs in Pasadena's historic Central Library. Given the importance of the Central Library as a community hub thate supports literacy, social welfare, and civic engagement, the City is supportive of federal funding for capital improvement projects that address life/safety issues in library buildings. 20342025 Federal Legislative Platform13
The City of Pasadena's Central Library and nine branch libraries provide services to more than 2,000 patrons per day, sponsoring an array of activities for both adults and children.
In recent years, it has been the focus of the departmentCity's Library and Information Services Department to enhance its information and technology services to better meet the needs of City residents. Given the increasing importance of accessing the ilntemet for library customers without the means to do so at home, the City is supportive of any efforts to expand high speed, high-capacity broadband funding.
The City supports:
Full funding for the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) programs at the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
Federal opportunities for "early learning" initiatives to assist and expand activities associated with the City's Office of the Young Child.
Continued IMLS funding of National Leadership grants for Library and Recmitment for Librarians for the 21st Century, and early childhood literacy programs that involve partnerships between libraries, the local school district and other community-based agencies.
•Continued funding of National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Increased funding for programs that provide and encourage training and outreach for those interested in a career in libraries.
Efforts that allow for increased flexibility with regard to copyright laws and increased access to electronic books and media.
Efforts to maintain net neutrality, open access, and intellectual freedom.
Funding for resources to protect and preserve America's historic libraries.
Funding for capital improvements for life/safety concerns.
Funding for public libraries serving people experiencing homelessness and/or mental illness.
Funding for libraries to provide programs and resources to those impacted by a pandemic such as those who have lost their jobs or are underemployed, those experiencing mental health issues, needing help with schoolwork, and those experiencing social isolationT-ete.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Library and Information Services Department at (626) 744-4066.
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Immigration
The City of Pasadena strongly believes that immigrants strengthen the community economically and culturally and welcomes their contributions to society. With regard to 30342025 Federal Legislative Platform14
federal legislation aimed at reforming federal immigration laws, the City would urge Congress and the President to reaffinn^ that addressing unlawful immigration in a compassionate manner is the primary responsibility of the federal government and that sufficient resources must be committed on the federal level for this purpose.
In a resolution adopted by the City Council in October 2013, the City of Pasadena hereby supports a humane and comprehensive immigration reform proposal with the following principles: provides an attainable and affordable pathway to full citizenship for the nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States; family unity as a cornerstone of our immigration system; provides due process and labor protections; allows access to key essential services such as health care; and local governments should not be mandated to enforce federal immigration laws, particularly when resources necessary to enforce local laws are already stretched. Though not a declared sanctuary city, Pasadenathe City established a 2017 €city^wide policy, which sets forth the City's commitment to the confidentiality of information gathered for municipal purposes. The policy explicitly limits collection or dissemination of information regarding a person's religion, sexual orientation, national and ethnic origin, and immigration status.
The City supports federal legislation that would protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)—¥bis, a program which protects children who were brought to tbis countrythe United States at a young age and are pursuing education and the American dDream.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Manager's eQffice at (626) 744-4333.
Campaign Finance
In September 2013, the Pasadena City Council approved a resolution that that urges Congress to propose and support, and the state legislahire to ratify, a Constitutional amendment to reverse the U.S. Supreme Court mling Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission that prohibits the government from restricting political independent expenditures by corporations, associations, or labor unions.
The resolution maintains that reversal of the decision would enable the people, through their elected representatives, to regulate campaign contributions and expenditures in all elections at the federal, state, and local levels and ensure that corporations are not entitled to the entirety of protections or "rights" of human beings, specifically so that the expenditure of corporate money to influence the electoral process is no longer a form of constitutionally protected speech.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the City Attorney's e0fficeat(626)744-4141.
Environmental Stewardship
The global climate is changing, and ocean water levels are rising largely due to increases in levels of greenhouse gasGHG emissions in the environment, which affects human health and the_economic well-being of our communities. The City has developed a variety 30342025 Federal Legislative Platform15
of programs and policies to proactively reduce its carbon footprint. In addition, the City Council declared a climate emergency on January 30, 2023, and set a goal to source 100% of Pasadena's electricity from carbon free sources by 2030.
The City seeks to increase its role in promoting environmental stewardship and urban sustainability through activities such as the endorsement of the United Nations Green Cities Declaration, the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, and the adoption of the Urban Enviroiunental Accords Action Plan.
As demonstrated in other sections of the Federal Legislative Platform, "Utilities" (p. 3), "Transportation" (p. 7), "Parks, Recreation and Community Services" (p. 12) and "Solid Waste Resource Management" (p. ^16), the City is committed to mitigating climate change, while balancing the needs of the Pasadena community. The City supports legislation that:4^
• ilmproves the availability of renewable energy^-2)^
^Increases energy efficiencyT-3)^
jReduces greenhouse gasGHG emissions (GHG); •1)^
^Reduces waste to landfillsr-^)^
•jReduces the use ofnon-renewable resources in the manufacturing ofproductsi-6)^ _-Ssupports green buildings and advances urban planning while protecting wildlife habitats-?),
^Improves opportunities for environmentally beneficial jobsi-8)^ _eEnhances parks and recreational opportunitiesi-9)^
jlncreases the urban forest canopyf4^)^
•_ilncreases affordable public transit^-44)^
.sSupports cleaner emissions from vehiclesH^)^
•_ilmproves air quality; 13)^
_eEnsures and conserves safe drinking water, and 14)^
_sSupports sustainable urban watershed and wastewater planning and implementation.
The City also supports renewable energy derived from sustainable resources such as wind, geothennal (steam), landfill gas (methane produced from decomposing waste), solar, and hydroelectric facilities that can be cost-effectively procured for residents and businesses.
The City supports air quality legislation that may include strategies to mitigate emissions as well as port operations that reduce air pollution as well asand relieve traffic congestion.
This is best demonstrated through Pasadenathe City's use of alternative fael vehicles for the City^s transit services.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact:
• City Manager's Office: (626) 744-4333
Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department: (626) 744-4386 Plaiming and Community Development Department: (626) 744-6833 30342025 Federal Legislative Platfonn16
Public Works Department: (626) 744-7311
Transportation Department: (626) 744-7664
Water and Power Department: (626) 744-4409
Solid Waste Resource Management
The City of Pasadena is committed to waste reduction and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), which is an important strategy for redesigning problematic waste products and packaging. This approach would also reduce the financial and environmental burdens placed on local jurisdictions for managing these products at their end-of-life by shifting these responsibilities to the product manufacturers.
As such, the City adopted an EPR Resolution in 2010^ and alsowhich included expanding product stewardship efforts, and updated key initiatives in the City's Zero Waste Strategic Plan_to-afid extended producer responsibility as a key initiative in the City's Zero Waste Strategic Plan, which outlinesm the City's path to achieving Zzero Wwaste by the year 2040 through 19 waste reduction strategies. California has set a statewide goal of a 75 peFeeirt-%reduction in organics disposed by 2025, which continues to drivels driving the City's solid waste management plan for the next several years.
Additionally, in November 2018, China implemented a Green Sword Policy that drastically lowered the contamination level of accepted items and eliminated the import of mixed plastics and unsorted paper. These changes have affected the entire recycling market and have forced recycling programs to change to meet market demands.
Additional actions the City supports include:
•Product and disposal bans: The City supports legislation aimed at reducing disposable products and packaging, including product and disposal bans for environmentally problematic materials. Such_Llegislation that doesshould not overly burden municipalities with data capture, reporting and enforcement andbut^hould which does include reasonable phase^-out periods is ideal.
Extended Producer ReoponGibility (EPR)EPR Initiatives: The_City_Ssupports EPR initiatives to place a shared responsibility for end-of-life product management on the producers and all entities involved in the production chain, instead of passing costs along to the general public or municipalities. Initiatives should encourage product design changes that minimize a negative impact on human health and the environment at every stage of the product's lifecycle.
Organics processing: Effective January 1, 2022, SB 1383_(Lara^016} required California cities to recycle their organic waste, which includes including food waste.
The City is supportive of seeking County, State, and Fedemlsupports funding and permitting suppertassistance to help facilitate local and regional organics processing capacity and fund additional related program costs.
For more information about City positions on this topic, please contact the Public Works Department at (626) 744-731 1.
30342025 Federal Legislative Platform17