CITY OF PASADENA
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2025 - 5:00 P.M.
MEETING
OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Hampton called the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee to order at 5:03 p.m.
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton, Chair
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas
Councilmember Steve Madison (Absent)
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Klug, Director of Economic Development
Jim Wong, Director of Housing
Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development
Lillian Mensah, Planner
Deborah Membreno, Project Manager
Jennifer O'Reilly-Jones, Program Coordinator III
Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
Anthony Manousos, representing Making Housing and Community Happen (MHCH), urged the Planning Department to estimate potential transfer tax revenue to support affordable housing funds.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved by Vice Mayor Rivas, seconded by Councilmember Lyon, to approve the minutes of September 16, 2026, as submitted. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Madison)
NEW BUSINESS FEASIBILITY STUDY ON INCLUSIONARY HOUSING ORDINANCE Jason Mikaelian, Deputy Director of Planning and Community Development, provided introductory comments, and both Lillian Mensah, Planner, and Nathan Schmitt, Economist from AECOM (City consultant), summarized the staff memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on inclusionary housing ordinance background, policy context, market analysis, feasibility analysis, alternative opportunities, and workforce housing; with all responding to questions.
Chair hlampton asked staff to provide additional data regarding California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) appeals and oversight of inclusionary housing ordinances from surrounding cities.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that two letters of correspondence were received by the City Clerk's Office, which were distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the record for this item.
01 10/21/2025
Matthew Morfin, Pasadena resident, advocated to lower unit threshold requirement to 5-9 units related to an Inclusionary Housing Ordinance Fiona Morfin, Pasadena resident, thanked Chair Hampton for making WIFI available throughout Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and for affordable housing in the City.
The following individuals spoke on vacancy tax, transfer tax, commercial development linkage fee, and/or provided other related comments on the matter:
Bert Newton, Pasadena resident
David Sorri, Pasadena resident
Mark Vinzani, Los Angeles resident
David Baer, San Fernanda resident
The following individuals advocated to increase the inclusionary requirement percentage, and/or provided other related comments on the matter:
Donna Sider, representing Justice Commission, Pasadena Mennonite Jill Shook, representing MHCH
Councilmember Lyon voiced support for further study of an expedited permitting process, lowering the inclusionary unit threshold, implementing a commercial development linkage fee, and exploring residential and commercial property vacancy taxes.
Vice Mayor Rivas thanked staff and supported the listed alternative studies. In response to Vice Mayor Rivas' inquiry on in-lieu fee, Jim Wong, Housing Director, provided information on project data from 2019 ordinance amendment, indicating no significant impact from the prior fee increase, and responded to questions.
Chair Hampton echoed Councilmember Lyon's comments in support of further study on property vacancy tax. He expressed support for the proposed policy alternatives and advocated for fee reductions and expedited permitting for nuisance properties. In addition, he asked staff to provide additional information on the feasibility of establishing a Pasadena-specific Area Median Income (AMI).
Following discussion, the Committee requested that staff provide an update on the item at a future Committee meeting, including providing the information and direction to staff as detailed above.
Following further discussion, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
02 10/21/2025
INFORMATION ONLY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: COMMERCIAL FAQADE IMPROVEMENT
David Klug, Director of Economic Development, provided introductory comments, and Deborah Membreno, Project Manager, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the program's background and information, eligibility and selection criteria, timeline, with both responding to questions.
Following a brief discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
CONSIDERATION OF THE 2026 POINT IN TIME HOMELESS COUNT
Jim Wong, Housing Director, provided introductory comments, and Jennifer O'Reilly-Jones, Program Coordinator, presented a Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on U.S.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requirements, biennial unsheltered counts, 2025 unsheltered count cost and benefits, with both responding to questions.
Councilmember Lyon expressed neutral sentiments regarding the proposed biennial count and commented on the possible removal of volunteers from future counts.
Chair hfampton expressed opposition to the proposed biennial homeless count, citing concerns on the sentiments and engagement of community volunteers.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair, and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATE BY DAVID A. KLUG,
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
ADJOURNMENT:
David Klug, Economic Development Director, summarized the staff memo as part of his oral presentation, including providing information on business developments, conferences, special events, technology startups and science, real estate updates, and responded to questions.
Chair Hampton and Councilmember Lyon shared their experience with attending the Los Angeles Technology Week at the Pasadena City College.
On the order of the Chair, the meeting of the Economic Development and Technology Committee was adjourned at 7:02 p.m.
03 10/21/2025
/
t^—
Tyron Hahnpton, Chair
Economic Development and Technology Committee
ATTEST:
&-
Betty Gao
Recording Secretary
04 10/21/2025