OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
OLD BUSINESS
CITY OF PASADENA
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
COUNCIL CHAMBER - ROOM S249
DECEMBER 18, 2025
The Chair called the special meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee to order at 5:46 p.m.
Councilmember Steve Madison, Chair
Vice Mayor Jess Rivas
Councilmember Gene Masuda (via teleconference)
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk
Matthew Hawkesworth, Assistant City Manager
Nicholas G. Rodriguez, Assistant City Manager
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager
Dion O'Connell, Assistant City Attorney
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary
Councilmember Masuda, reported that he will be participating via teleconference, per the "just cause" exception pursuant to Government Code Section 59453(f)(2)(A)(i); and stated that no one over 18 years of age is in the room with him.
It was moved by Vice Mayor Rivas, seconded by Councilmember Masuda to approve the minutes of July 1, 2025, August 5, 2025 (Cancelled meeting), September 2, 2025, October 7, 2025, November 4, 2025 (Cancelled meeting), and December 2, 2025 (Cancelled meeting), as submitted:
AYES: Councilmembers Masuda, Vice Mayor Rivas, Chair
Madison
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
REQUEST BY CHAIR MADISON TO CONSIDER REVISIONS TO
THE CITY'S FAIR CAMPAIGN PRACTICES AGREEMENT
RELATED TO CAMPAIGN MATERIALS, THE TIMING OF
NOTIFICATIONS TO OPPONENTS FOR CAMPAIGN
MESSAGING, AND OTHER RELATED MATTERS
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, summarized the agenda report as part of a Powerpoint presentation on the item, and responded to questions.
Vice Mayor Rivas advocated for the Pasadena Fair Campaign Practices Agreement include videos as a method of campaign messaging; and spoke in support of the recommendation made by the Commission on the Status of Women requiring candidates to 01 12/18/2025
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02 obtain residents' consent to use their names as supporters in campaign messaging.
Chair Madison advocated for the agreement to include all types of media that may be used in campaign messaging, adding a numeric threshold for email messaging, including the City Clerk as a recipient to the written notice if withdrawing from the agreement, and a clear statement of facts for the withdraw with a three-day timeframe to address alleged violations.
Following discussion, the Committee directed staff to revise the Pasadena Fair Campaign Practices Agreement to reflect the comments made during the meeting, as detailed above and present an updated agreement for discussion before the start of the next election cycle.
CONSIDERATION OF REVISED PROTOCOLS AND
PROCEDURES GOVERNING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR
RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL
Chair Madison provided introductory comments and opened a discussion on City Council protocols and standards for more efficient meetings.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, reported that a clock will be installed in the Council Chamber dais for better time management of
Councilmember comments, and that the Committee will receive a presentation on provisions for a lobbyist registration program in Spring 2026; and responded to questions.
Chair Madison spoke in support of exploring the appropriateness of Councilmember comments during meetings when not addressing the topic of discussion and inaccurately characterizing viewpoints, which use additional time and resources to correct.
Following a brief discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
BRIEFING BY KYRA EMANUELS ROSS ON STATE
LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
Kyra Emanuels Ross, State Legislative advocate for the City, provided an update on state and local legislative matters listed below and responded to questions:
• Legislative session begins on Monday,January 5, 2026; Governor Newsom's proposed State budget deadline to
Legislature is Saturday, January 10, 2026;
State Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) projects $18 billion budget deficit that is expected to grow to $35 billion in 2027; Proposal to eliminate development impact fees or provide a 30-50 year loan for 100% affordable housing projects;
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NEW BUSINESS
Proposal to add members to the Los Angeles County
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) Board of Directors;
Senator Wiener will gut and amend SB 677 into an SB 79
cleanup bill, and is expected to be heard in the Senate Housing Committee on Tuesday, January 6,2026;and
Legislators will be working on new bill introductions with a deadline of Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
In response to Vice Mayor Rivas' inquiry on SB 79 and historic districts, Ms. Ross stated that she is working with the offices of Senator Perez and Assemblymember Harabedian to receive the correct language on historic districts that will be cleanup bill.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
BRIEFING BY CHRIS GIGLIO ON FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE
MATTERS
Chris Giglio, Federal Legislative advocate for the City, provided an update on the following legislative matters listed below and answered questions on the following topics:
Federal government 43-day shutdown ended on
Wednesday, November 12, 2025;
Stopgap measure will extend Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funding levels until Friday, January 30, 2026;
President Trump signed an executive order to create a
national policy framework for artificial intelligence (Al); Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act
(NDAA) for FY 2026; and
Safer Skies Act, which allows local law enforcement to
mitigate unfriendly drone incursions over stadiums and other large events.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF SB 684 (MENJIVAR)
POLLUTERS PAY CLIMATE SUPERFUND ACT OF 2025
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided an oral report on the item, and reported that the two bills in question (SB 684, AB 1243) did not get out of their house of origin and will not be reintroduced in 2026, and responded to questions.
The following individuals spoke in support of the Make Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act and environmental protection:
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04 Emily Fernandez, representing the Pasadena City College (PCC) Environmental Sustainability Club (ESC)
Kristen Pang, representing PCC ESC
Teresa Wong, representing PCC ESC
Bert Newton. Pasadena resident
hlumaira Afzal, Pasadena resident
Vice Mayor Rivas spoke in support of continuing to monitor SB 684 and consideration for a future discussion on adding support of the bill to the State Legislative Platform in 2026.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
INVESTMENT POLICY DISCUSSION REGARDING ETHICAL,
ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE
CONSIDERATIONS
Matthew Hawkesworth, Assistant City Manager, summarized the agenda report as part of a Powerpoint presentation on the item, and responded to questions.
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary, reported that the City Clerk's Office received approximately 2,500 letters of correspondence in opposition to adopting a stronger ethical investment resolution, and approximately 250-300 letters of correspondence in support of a stronger ethical investment policy, in which the correspondence was distributed to the Committee, posted online, and made part of the public record.
The following individuals spoke in support of adopting a stronger ethical investment policy, rejecting a proposed ethical investment resolution, and provided other related comments on the matter:
Terry Tornek, Pasadena resident
Jill Davis, Pasadena resident
Sharon Washington, representing Harvest Rock Salt & Light Reformers
Andrew Schumaker, South Pasadena resident
Eli Grossman, Pasadena resident
Emily Fernandez, Los Angeles resident
Rev. Mark Chase, representing All Saints Church
Dr. Lena AI-Sarraf, Pasadena resident
Aida Ashouri, Los Angeles resident
Hedab Tarifi, representing Pasadena for Palestine
John Hyde, Pasadena resident
Vincent De Stefano, Pasadena resident
Antony Rodriguez, Tujunga resident
Mike D., residence not stated
Martha Ruffman, Pasadena resident
Gregg Mashberg, La Canada Flintridge resident
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Curtis Hiebert, residence not stated
Charlyn Hiebert, residence not stated
Estee Chandler, Toluca Lake resident
Taylor Ermoian, representing Pasadena Mennonite Church
Jesse Duker, representing Jewish Federation
Monna Stewart, Pasadena resident
Cyd Stacy Nam, Arcadia resident
Iris Chen, Pasadena resident
Anaar Siletz, South Pasadena resident
Bert Newton, representing Pasadena for Palestine
Dylan Bannon, representing Pasadena for Palestine
Lisa Muthiah, representing Pasadena for Palestine
Jose Maria Rios Espada, representing Pasadena for Palestine Pr. Marcos Canales, representing La Fuente Ministries/Clergy Community Coalition
Rachel Darling, Pasadena resident
Edmond Manson, representing Pasadena for Palestine
Neil Kohanski, representing Pasadena for Palestine
Bailey Payne, Pasadena resident
Humaira Afzal, Pasadena resident
Elly Levy, Los Angeles resident
Chelsey, Pasadena resident
Patricia, Pasadena resident
Michael Flynn, residence not stated
Una Lee Jost, Pasadena resident
Rev. Dr. Rob Muthiah, Pasadena resident
Randall Heyn-Lamb, representing Pasadena for Palestine
Isaac Tragarz, Pasadena resident
Tammy Tosourian, residence not stated
Councilmember Masuda stated that the City Council cannot direct the Fire and Police Retirement System Board (FPRS) on
investments and does not support submitting a resolution to the City Council to divest from companies with ties to Israel.
Vice Mayor Rivas spoke in support of expanding the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) policy and consideration for the City Council to explore a negative rule, specifically against weapons manufacturers and fossil fuel companies.
Chair Madison expressed appreciation to the community for the interest taken in this complicated topic reduced by the fact the City does not hold the types of investments being opposed; expressed concerns on any action taken being misconstrued and fuel the fire to rising levels ofantisemitism; and spoke in support of continuing the discussion with the City Council.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
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CONSIDERATION OF NEW START TIME FOR LEGISLATIVE
POLICY COMMITTEE
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided an oral report on the item, and reported that there was a request to change the regularly scheduled meeting time of the Legislative Policy Committee to a later start time, and responded to questions.
The Committee discussed reasons for moving the start time of Legislative Policy Committee meetings and agreed to a new start time of 5:00 p.m.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, informed the Committee that a number of City commissions are currently meeting in the Council Chamber due to renovations in the Planning Department Hearing Room, and staff will need to discuss potential impacts, including Pasadena Media broadcast ability, and responded to questions.
Following a brief discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
CITY ADVOCACY POSITIONS
a. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care Renewal
b. Senator Schiffs Housing BOOM (Building Occupancy
Opportunities for Millions) Act
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided an oral report on the item, and reported that there were two requests, by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Senator Schiff, for Mayor Gordo to add the City of Pasadena as a supporter to positions that align with the City's existing policies, and responded to questions.
Chair Madison requested that staff distribute copies of advocacy letters to the Legislative Policy Committee and City Council on the same day they are submitted; and spoke in support of the City Council being informed of all events, sponsor opportunities, and invitations to participate in various programs.
Following discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
PAST AGENDAS FOR CITY BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
a. Accessibility and Disability Commission - October 28, 2025 b. Arts & Culture Commission - October 8, 2025
c. Code Enforcement Commission - October 29, 2025,
November 6, 2025
d. Commission on the Status of Women - November 5, 2025, December 3, 2025
e. Community Police Oversight Commission - October 9, 2025, November 13, 2025, December 1 1,2025
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f. Design Commission - October 14, 2025, October 28, 2025, November 25, 2025
g. Environmental Advisory Commission - December 9, 2025 h. Historic Preservation Commission - December 2, 2025
Human Relations Commission - November 4, 2025,
December 2, 2025
j. Human Services Commission - November 12, 2025,
December 10, 2025
k. Library Commission - November 19,2025
1. Northwest Commission - November 13,2025
m. Recreation and Parks Commission - December 2, 2025
n. Senior Commission - September 9,2025
o. Transportation Advisory Commission - October 23, 2025 p. Urban Forestry Advisory - December 10, 2025
Following a brief discussion, on the order of the Chair and by consensus of the Committee, the information was received and filed.
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, reported that the City Council will not be meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026, with the first meeting of the new year scheduled for Monday, January 12, 2026, and responded to questions.
, the special meeting of the Legislative
'urned at 8:19 p.m.
f ht tor er
olic Co mitt de s
c ilmember Steve Madison, Chair
Legislative Policy Committee
TglmerSabha
Recording Secretary
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