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OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
October 6, 2025-5:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. (Absent: Councilmember Madison)
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the following closed session items:
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 potential case The above closed session items were not discussed.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting reconvened at 6:03 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Lyon.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Rick Cole
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton
Councilmember Justin Jones
Councilmember Jason Lyon
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Gene Masuda
City Manager Miguel Marquez
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
Eugene Harris, Police Chief, and Susana Porras, Pasadena Police Department Senior Communications Coordinator, introduced newly sworn in Pasadena Police Officers. The City Council welcomed the new officers and expressed gratitude for their serving the City.
Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation declaring the month of October 2025 as Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and United Against Hate Week. Elliot Park, Pasadena youth member, and Sandy Greenstein, Human Relations Commissioner, thanked the City Council for the recognition and spoke on the importance of bullying prevention. Commissioner Greenstein also invited the City Council and the community to attend the Walk to Freedom event on Saturday, October 25, 2025.
Council Minutes110/06/2025
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
Mayor Gordo issued a proclamation declaring October 2025 as Walktoberand Pedestrian Safety Month. Joaquin Siques, Director of Transportation, thanked the Mayor and City Council for the recognition and introduced Colin Bogart, from Day One, and Liz Schiller, from Pasadena Complete Streets Coalition, who invited the City Council and community members to participate in Walktober events, with various opportunities to explore the City on foot.
Mayor Gordo requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Jane Goodall, an anthropologist and pioneer in primate ethology. He acknowledged her serving as the Grand Marshall of the 124th Tournament of Roses Parade in 2013, and her planned appearance on October 1, 2025 in Pasadena to launch TREEAMS, a student-led movement to plant over 5,000 trees in recent fire-ravaged areas.
Councilmember Madison also requested that the meeting be adjourned in memory of Sidney Kirkpatrick, longtime Pasadena resident and bestselling author, and spoke on his contributions to Pasadena Central Library and system in 1993 by helping to promote and support the passage of the original Library Tax.
The following individuals spoke on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and/or advocated for the City to divest from specific companies:
Meg Rumsey-Lasersohn, Pasadena resident
Humaira Afzal, Pasadena resident
Zain Khalifeh, Pasadena resident
Rebecca Husaini, Muslim Pacific Affairs Council
Jennifer Vaughan, residence not stated
Hedab, Pasadena resident
Rita Kapadia, Pasadena resident
Patricia, residence not stated
Olden Denham, Pasadena resident, spoke on the police officer involved shooting of Anthony McClain.
Alien Shay, Pasadena resident, spoke on the Community Police Oversight Commission and accountability of the Pasadena Police Department.
Nat Nehdar, Pasadena International Association, spoke on maintaining numerous sister-city relationships internationally.
James Maddox, Pasadena Veterans Committee, announced details for a Veterans' Day event on November 11, 2025 and invited the community to attend.
Rene Gonzalez, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City Council to agendize a closed session meeting to discuss the matter of sister cities.
Council Minutes210/06/2025
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Manager/ Executive
Director
Katie, San Gabriel resident, expressed concerns related to federal immigration enforcement activities and advocated for transparency from the Pasadena Police Department.
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH VITAL MEDICAL SERVICES, LLC FOR NON-
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO INMATES FOR A
PERIOD OF FIVE YEARS IN AN AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED
$1,607,250 (PDD)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find the proposed action in the agenda report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA") pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3), the "Common Sense" exemption that CEQA only applies to projects that may have an effect on the environment;
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract without Competitive Bidding pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F), contracts for professional or unique sen/ices with Vital Medical Services, LLC for non-emergency medical services to inmates housed in the Pasadena City Jail for five years not-to-exceed $1,607,250 which includes Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments and a 10% contingency of $146,115 (Contract No. 33409); (3) Grant the recommended contract an exemption from the Competitive Selection process pursuant to Pasadena Municipal Code section 4.08.049(b) contracts for which the City's best interest is served; and
(4) Authorize the City Manager to approve no-cost amendments to the subject contract including durational extensions.
ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING TWO NEW
CLASSIFICATIONS AND UPDATING THE SALARIES OF
TWENTY-FOUR EXISTING CLASSIFICATIONS REPRESENTED
BY PMA, IBEW, AND NON-REPRESENTED MANAGEMENT
(hluman Resources Dept.)
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the proposed action in the agenda report is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) "Common Sense" exemption; and
(2) Adopt a Resolution establishing two new classifications and updating the salaries of twenty-four existing classifications represented by PMA, IBEW, and Non-Represented Management. (Resolution No. 10154)
City Clerk/ Secretary
[J MINUTES APPROVED
September 8, 2025
September 8, 2025
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
Council Minutes310/06/2025
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
Claim No. ClaimantClaim Amount
PUBLIC HEARING SET
Item discussed separately
MOTION:
CONSENT ITEM
DISCUSSED
SEPARATELY
PUBLIC HEARING SET
Vice Mayor Rivas stated
conflict of interest,
recused herself from
participating in Item 3c,
and left the meeting at
6:54 p.m.
MOTION:
REPORTS AND
COMMENTS FROM
COUNCIL COMMITTEES
Public Safety Committee
Vice Mayor Rivas returned
to the meeting at 6:55
p.m.
2026-0079
2026-0080
2026-0081
Arthur Frazier, Jr.
Hrayer Dekermenjian
Zaine Lemar Wofford
$100.00
35,000.00+
10,000.00+
November 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - Adoption of the North Lake Specific Plan
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Masuda, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar, with the exception of Item 3c. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent:
None)
November 17, 2025, 6:00 p.m. - Adoption of the North Lake Specific Plan
It was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by
Councilmember Lyon, to approve Consent Calendar Item 3c. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Vice Mayor Rivas)
MILITARY EQUIPMENT ANNUAL REPORT AND RENEWAL OF
EXISTING MILITARY EQUIPMENT (Police 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) Find that each type of military equipment identified in the Pasadena Police Department (PPD) June 2024 through June 2025 Annual Military Equipment Report has complied with the standards for approval set forth in the PPD Military Equipment Policy 711 and Government Code Section 7070 et seq.; and
(3) Approve the continued use of the currently authorized military equipment by renewing Ordinance No. 7395 pursuant to
Government Code Section 7071 (e)(1).
Council Minutes410/06/2025
1 Katie, San Gabriel resident, expressed concerns related to the Pasadena Police Department's budget for military equipment and heightened tensions in the community due to federal immigration activities.
Yadi, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns related to
personal privacy and the Pasadena Police Department's use of drones.
MOTION:
RECOMMENDATIONS
FROM OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENTS
City Manager
In response to Vice Mayor Rivas' inquiry regarding opportunities for feedback and input from the public and the Community Police Oversight Commission (CPOC) on the Police Department's Annual Military Equipment report, Anthony Russo, Police Lieutenant, confirmed that the report was presented at a community meeting, as well as to the CPOC, and neither had concerning comments. He also noted that City staff incorporated language requested by CPOC into the Military Equipment report.
Vice Mayor Rivas advocated for the Police Department's policy to explicitly state that the sole purpose and authorized use of the .50 caliber rifle is to disable vehicles being used in an attack scenario.
Councilmember Cole advocated for future reports to be agendized for the City Council to review and offer feedback and
recommendations to the Police Department.
Councilmembers Hampton and Cole advocated for future reports to include a description of the feedback and recommendations provided by the CPOC to the City Council.
Lieutenant Russo clarified that there is a procedural legal requirement that precludes the CPOC from making
recommendations on the matter. Mayor Gordo also stated that while the information is presented to the CPOC and the public for transparency purposes, the City Council, as elected representatives of Pasadena, are singularly empowered with decision-making authority regarding Police equipment and other related public safety policies.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Masuda, seconded by Councilmember Madison, to approve the staff recommendation. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION TERMINATING THE LOCAL
PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY ISSUED BY DECLARATION OF
THE HEALTH OFFICER IN RESPONSE TO THE EATON FIRE
EVENTS AND WINDSTORM CONDITIONS IN THE CITY OF
PASADENA (Health Dept.)
Council Minutes510/06/2025
1 MOTION:
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 state CEQA Guidelines Section 21065 and within the meaning of Section 15378(b); and
(2) Adopt a resolution terminating the Local Public Health Emergency issued by Declaration of the Health Officer in response to the Eaton fire events and windstorm conditions in the City of Pasadena. (Resolution No. 10155)
City Manager Marquez provided introductory remarks on the item.
In response to Councilmember Masuda's inquiry about additional soil testing efforts, Manuel Carmona, Public Health Director, reported that LA County coordinates a free soil-testing program that offers composite testing for people on private residential properties.
He also reported that the County does publish the test results online.
In response to Councilmember Madison's inquiry regarding persons impacted by lead and other fire-related pollutants, Public Health Director Carmona reported that Quest Diagnostics is providing free lead-detecting blood tests throughout the County. Councilmember Madison requested that the City test and monitor lead levels and impacts to first responders. He also advocated for the Public Safety Committee to receive a report addressing the City's and the County's after-action analysis.
Katie, San Gabriel resident, expressed concerns regarding the City's evacuation response to the Eaton Fire.
In response to public comment, Mayor Gordo reported that the City is schedule to recognize the members of the Job Center and supporters for their efforts in response to the Eaton Fire.
Mayor Gordo suggested that the City monitor employees impacted by the Eaton Fire and provide additional testing opportunities, and to develop a heat map indicating where elevated levels of lead are being detected so that the City may conduct additional outreach and testing for residents.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Masuda, seconded by Councilmember Hampton, to approve the staff recommendation. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT WITH TDG ENGINEERING, INC., TO DELIVER
CONCEPTUAL DEVELOPMENT, PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING
AND FINAL DESIGN SERVICES FOR PASADENA GREENWAYS
FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $1,092,594
(Transportation Dept.)
Council Minutes610/06/2025
1 Mayor Gordo,
Councilmember Jones,
and Vice Mayor Rivas all
stated conflicts of interests
with the item due to the
proximity of personal
property near proposed
project areas, recused
themselves from the item,
and left the meeting at
7:40 p.m.
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 with TDG Engineering, Inc., as the result of a competitive selection process, as specified by Section 4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, for professional engineering services for the Pasadena Greenways in the amount not-to-exceed $1,092,594, which includes the base contract amount of $586,313 to develop conceptual and preliminary design (Phase 1), the option for additional services to deliver Final Design including Plans, Specifications and Estimates (PS&E) in the amount of $406,281 (Phase 2), and a contingency amount of $100,000 for any necessary change orders subject to City Manager approval. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) (contracts for professional or unique services). (Contract No. 33330)
(Discussed and considered concurrently with Item No. 7, including for public comment purposes.)
In response to Councilmember Madison's inquiry questioning the need for recusal by members of the City Council given the seemingly citywide impacts of the proposed project, City Attorney Bagneris reported that the City Attorney's Office reviewed the Fair Political Practices Commission's opinion letters, calculated potential impacts for each member of the City Council, and advised those members with apparent conflicts of their need for recusal, which included Mayor Gordo, Vice Mayor Rivas, and Councilmember Jones.
City Clerk Jomsky reported out correspondence received by the City Clerk's Office for the September 8, 2025 City Council meeting (from when the item was originally agendized), which included 32 letters in opposition to the staff recommendation and/or expressing concerns with the City building concrete islands that would block travel lanes throughout the City (22 of the letters from Pasadena residents, 2 from non-residents, and 8 with residence not stated), 160 letters in support of the staff recommendation and/or providing comments in support of the Greenways Plan (119 of the letters from Pasadena residents, 37 from non-residents, and 6 with residence not stated), 2 letters providing information on the matter, letters of support from various local organizations, data from Safe Greenways supporters, and a list of 1,022 names of individuals in support of the proposed Greenways Plan. He also reported out correspondence received by the City Clerk's Office for tonight's City Council meeting, which included 48 letters in opposition to the staff recommendation and/or expressing concerns with the City building concrete islands (37 of the letters from Pasadena residents, 1 from a non-resident, and 10 with residence not stated), 40 letters in support of the staff recommendation and providing comments in support of the Council Minutes710/06/2025
1 Greenways Plan (35 of the letters from Pasadena residents, 2 from non-residents, and 3 with residence not stated), and 1 letter with a list of 26 names of individuals who are in opposition to the Greenways Plan. City Clerk Jomsky reported that all
correspondence listed above was received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record for this item.
Transportation Director Siques presented a Powerpoint presentation on the item, providing information on the two phases of the project, the project scope of work, outreach efforts, and Measure R Mobility Improvement Project funding.
In response to Councilmember Masuda's inquiries regarding impacts on the accessibility of emergency vehicles and the slowing of traffic, Transportation Director Siques reported that City staff will work with the Fire Department to ensure that response times are not affected, and that public safety remains a priority. He also stated that the proposed plan is not intended to cause major traffic or backup since the streets are low-volume streets. He reported that the purpose of reducing the speed limit in these corridors is to enhance safety for all road users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
The following individuals expressed support for the staff recommendation and/or provided comments related to the benefits of the proposed Greenways project and traffic safety:
Matthew Milan, Pasadena resident
Andrew George, Pasadena resident
Elliot Diamond Hitchcock, Pasadena resident
Kathy Braidhill, Pasadena resident
Zem Bashan, Pasadena resident
Julia Zapata, Pasadena resident
Dale Zapata, Pasadena resident
Humaira Afzal, Pasadena resident
Aubrey Schonoff, Pasadena resident
Pilar Reynaldo, Pasadena resident
Brenna Cancilla, Pasadena resident
Maya Roman, Pasadena resident
Colin Bogart, Pasadena resident
Cyril Hicks, Pasadena resident
Scott Habermehl, Pasadena resident
Jeff Cyrelewski, Pasadena resident
Cynthia Cannady, Pasadena resident
MattAbrahamson, Pasadena resident
Diane Kirby, Pasadena resident
Jonah Kanner, Pasadena resident
Bert Newton, Pasadena resident
Blair Miller, Pasadena resident
Topher Mathers, Pasadena resident
Council Minutes810/06/2025
f—
MOTION:
Deborah Spector, Pasadena resident
Aaron Salinger, Pasadena resident
Liz Schiller, Pasadena resident
Juan Pablo Vigneaux, Pasadena resident
Thomas Priestley, Pasadena resident
Jesus Molina, Pasadena resident
Matthew Stumbo, Pasadena resident
Julian Romero, Pasadena resident
Gary Belling, Pasadena resident
Mike Polk, Pasadena resident
Kaitlin Wallace, Pasadena resident
Ashley Taylor, Pasadena resident
Michael Canavan, Pasadena resident
Thomas Tai, Pasadena resident
The following individuals expressed opposition to the proposed project and/or provided comments related to the impact on traffic and businesses and residents that reside in the proposed Greenways corridors:
James L. Perry, Pasadena resident
Danielle Moskowitz, Pasadena resident
Denis Mourges, Pasadena resident
Suzanne Madison, Allegra consulting, spoke on the importance of supporting local businesses and advocated for her firm's experience with public engagement.
Councilmember Lyon spoke in support for City staff to consider contracting with local firms in Pasadena and possibly adjust the scoring mechanism to give more weight to local businesses during the bidding process.
Councilmember Cole requested City staff to include the
Transportation Advisory Committee as part of the oversight for the proposed project and to build upon the City's commitment to traffic safety. Transportation Director Siques confirmed that the Transportation Advisory Committee is already involved in the process and the project initiatives.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Masuda, to approve the staff
recommendation. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent:
Councilmember Jones, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo)
Council Minutes910/06/2025
AUTHORIZE THE CITY MANAGER TO ENTER INTO A
CONTRACT AGREEMENT WITH ARELLANO ASSOCIATES TO
PROVIDE COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT
FOR SIX NEAR TERM SR 710 PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH
MEASURE R MOBILITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (MIP) FUNDS
FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT NOT-TO-EXCEED $970,000
(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); and
(2) Authorize the City Manager to enter into a contract with Arellano Associates, as the result of a competitive selection process, as specified by Section 4.08.047 of the Pasadena Municipal Code, for professional communication and public engagement sen/ices for six near term SR 710 Projects funded through Measure R Mobility Improvement Project (MIP) funds in the amount not-to-exceed $970,000 which includes the base contract amount of $929,964 and a contingency amount of $40,036 for any necessary change orders subject to City Manager approval. Competitive price bidding is not required pursuant to City Charter Section 1002(F) (contracts for professional or unique services). (Contract No.33413)
(Discussed and considered concurrently with Item No.6, including for public comment purposes.)
Discussion ensued regarding the bidding process and selecting local companies that are rooted in the community.
In response to Councilmember Madison's inquiry regarding the required public outreach, Transportation Director Siques reported that public outreach is required by the funding agency and by the City's own process.
Councilmember Madison expressed concerns that the required outreach component may block necessary projects from moving forward given that the outreach must indicate the need for the projects. He also advocated to give more weight to local vendors in the bidding process.
Councilmember Cole advocated for the City to enhance consistency in branding and engagement for all projects, to provide effective community engagement services for the City, and to provide centralized staff support for public engagement rather than dependence on outside vendors and contractors.
Council Minutes1010/06/2025
MOTION:
BRIEF REPORTS FROM
REPRESENTATIVES/
REQUESTS FOR
FUTURE AGENDA
ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
In response to Councilmember Madison's inquiry about the consequences if the contract is not approved, Transportation Director Siques reported that City staff would restart the outreach model, which will delay the project moving forward. He elaborated that the funding is awarded through the end of the construction and does not include the timing for the design model.
City Manager Marquez reported that City staff does have a citywide outreach engagement team spread throughout various departments and will work to identify ways for alternative approaches to developing and enhancing community dialogue.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Madison, seconded by Councilmember Cole, to approve the staff
recommendation. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent:
Councilmember Jones, Vice Mayor Rivas, Mayor Gordo)
Councilmember Madison advocated for City staff to inform those members of the public advocating for the Fire Retirement Police System Board to pursue ethical investment, that the matter has been agendized by the Board for discussion. Councilmember Cole clarified that the Board has agendized discussion on whether or not to agendize the matter of ethical investments.
On order of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjqy^ed at 10:04 p.m. in memory of Jane Goodall and Sidney Kirick. pa
^^1.
Victor M. Gordo, Ma
City of Pasadena
rk cit/cr
Council Minutes1110/06/2025