n
OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
CITY OF PASADENA
LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MINUTES
PASADENA CITY HALL
100 NORTH GARFIELD AVENUE
COUNCIL CHAMBER- ROOM S249
FEBRUARY 18, 2026
The Chair called the special meeting of the Legislative Policy Committee to order at 3:1 1 p.m.
Councilmember Steve Madison, Chair
Vice Mayor Jess Rivas
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk
Karin Schnaider, Director of Finance
Arnold Lee, Chief Assistant City Attorney
Tamer Sabha, Recording Secretary
CONSIDERATION OF REVISED PROTOCOLS AND
PROCEDURES GOVERNING CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS FOR
RECOMMENDATION TO THE FULL CITY COUNCIL
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.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF AB 1768 (BRYAN) -
TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAXES: COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES
Kyra Emanuels Ross, State Legislative advocate for the City, provided an oral report on Assembly Bill (AB) 1768, and responded to questions.
Chair Madison requested staff continue to monitor developments to AB 1768 and analyze the City's flexibility for a sales tax increment.
REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY
ESSENTIAL SERVICES RESTORATION ACT
Chair Madison provided introductory comments, opened a
discussion on the Los Angeles Essential Services Restoration Act, and announced that New Business agenda items would be
discussed concurrently.
Chair Madison spoke in support of using guardrails when Councilmembers attend press conferences; and on the need for staff to distribute all city press releases and invitations to public events that utilize city resources to the City Council.
01 02/18/2026
MOTION:
REQUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS
02 Vice Mayor Rivas echoed Chair Madison's comments on
Councilmembers showing support in a personal capacity in contrast to the appearance of officially representing the City, and spoke in support of continuing discussions to develop guidelines for the City Council.
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided information on potential funding for the Pasadena Public Health Department, and responded to questions.
DISCUSSION OF POTENTIAL CITY OF PASADENA ¼ CENT
SALES TAX INCREASE
Chair Madison provided introductory comments, opened a
discussion of the potential City of Pasadena ¼ cent sales tax increase.
Karin Schnaider, Director of Finance, provided information on city and county sales tax rates, and Los Angeles County Measure A funding distribution, and responded to questions.
Mark Jomsky, City Clerk, provided information on the ballot measure filing deadline for the June 2, 2026 Primary Election, and associated election costs, and responded to questions.
Brenda Harvey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided information on public opinion polling prior to introducing local ballot measures, and responded to questions.
Chair Madison asked staff to determine if Huntington Hospital is supportive of the Essential Services Restoration Act and volunteered to contact the hospital for feedback, and contact Supervisor Kathryn Barger's office to request information on county polling in support of the proposed measure.
Following discussion, it was moved by Councilmember Masuda, seconded by Vice Mayor Rivas, to bring forward agenda item Nos. 2 (Review and Discussion of AB 1768 (Bryan) - Transactions and Use Taxes: County of Los Angeles), 3 (Review and Discussion of Los Angeles County Essential Services Restoration Act), and 4 (Discussion of Potential City of Pasadena ¼ Cent Sales Tax Increase) to the City Council for discussion and consideration. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: None)
Chair Madison requested staff agendize a discussion on best practices for the use of press releases and resources by Councilmembers, and to research similar practices by other cities.
Arnold Lee, Chief Assistant City Attorney, stated that the City Attorney's Office will work in conjunction with the City Manager's Office on the request.
02/18/2026
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
abha
ding Secretary
03 On t • pecial meeting of the Legislative
P • at 4:04 p.m.
air
Leg1staf1ve Policy Committee
02/18/2026