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OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
PUBLIC COMMENT
CITY OF PASADENA
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER - 8249
SEPTEMBER 09, 2025
MEETING
The Chair called the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee to order at 4:03 p.m.
CouncilmemberJustin Jones, Chair
Councilmember Tyron Hampton (Arrived at 4:08 p.m.)
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power
Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation
Lynne Chaimowitz, Assistant General Manager of Water and Power Lisa Hosey, Assistant City Attorney
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary
Blair Miller, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City Council to approve all contracts associated with the Pasadena Greenways project.
INFORMATIONAL ONLY
Councilmember Hampton
arrived at 4:08 p.m.
UPDATE ON THE METRO NORTH HOLLYWOOD TO PASADENA
BUS RAPID TRANSIT PROJECT
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, and Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, provided introductory comments, and Matt Evans, Construction Relations Manager, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), Anthony DeFrenza, Project Manager, Metro and Aurea Adao, Community Relations Manager, Metro jointly summarized the staff memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the project background, project objectives and benefits, Pasadena's design, project schedule, construction relations and mitigation programs, and Eat Shop Play program, with all responding to questions.
Councilmember Lyon expressed strong concerns with the lack of feedback from City Council District 7 representatives including the community on Metro's Eastbound Route split from Lake Avenue to Hill Avenue; emphasized the need for improved communication with the City and Metro, including mail communication to City residents; and spoke in opposition to the proposed route along South Mentor Avenue and East Green Street, citing impacts to library parking, local businesses, and community impacts. In addition, he requested public input for the art selection process and encouraged inclusion of local artists for art design at bus shelters.
Chair Jones expressed concerns with the lack of Metro's communication and outreach with the City Council and the community; raised concerns with potential public safety issues at the Holly Street Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) stations; and strongly advocated for improved outreach and communication with the community and City Council 01 09/09/2025
Councilmember Hampton and
Councilmember Lyon were
excused and left the meeting
at 5:47 p.m.
offices. He asked staff to provide copies of the rendering of the proposed BRT stations.
Councilmember Hampton expressed safety concerns with non-transit users using the proposed bus shelters and the bus shelter designs that may obstruct storefront visibility; suggested the Senior Center as a community meeting location; and called for improved outreach efforts.
Councilmember Cole echoed comments related to the Committee's requests for improved communication between Metro and the community.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
ELECTRIC RATE STUDY UPDATE
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments, and Lynne Chaimowitz, Assistant General Manager of Water and Power, summarized the staff memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on reasons for rate increases, revenue requirements and system effective rates, public participation input, preliminary ordinance review, and proposed next steps; with both responding to questions.
The following individuals spoke on the Optimized Strategic Plan, net energy metering, cost comparison, data transparency, solar adoption, and/or provided other related comments on the matter:
Sandy Krasner, representing Pasadena 100
Cynthia Cannady, representing Pasadena 100
Tom King, representing Pasadena 100
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary, reported that one letter of 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.
Councilmember Hampton suggested having a more in-depth portfolio comparison of rates between Pasadena and neighboring cities to show renewable energy rate differences; and emphasized the importance of communicating cost impacts while highlighting Pasadena's continued customer incentives.
Councilmember Cole echoed Councilmember Hampton's remarks, calling for an in-depth comparison of rates with other forms of energy and discussed capital investment planning and financing strategies as key factors driving future electric rate changes.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
02 09/09/2025
n
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
SEWER SYSTEIVHVtANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE
Due to time constraints, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the above referenced item will be continued to a future Committee meeting.
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Municipal Services Committee/^s adjourj^d^at 5:53 p.m.
i^{ly.
Councilmer»t^erJustin,«t6nes, Chair
Municipaj^ervices/^ommittee
y
^^
Betty Gae
Recording Secretary
03 09/09/2025