OPENING:
CLOSED SESSION
r
CITY OF PASADENA
City Council Minutes
March 30, 2026-5:00 P.M.
City Hall Council Chamber
Teleconference Location:
Kawga Hotel
Business Center
Piste de N'Guerigne, Somone, Petie Cote
Mbour, Thies, Senegal
Mayor Gordo called the regular meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. (Absent: Councilmember Madison)
Councilmember Madison
arrived at 5:12 p.m.
Councilmember Hampton
and Vice Mayor Rivas left
the meeting at 6:15 p.m.
Councilmember Hampton participated in the Closed Session teleconference.
via
Vice Mayor Rivas reported that she is participating in the Closed Session remotely under Government Code Section 54953.8.3 "just cause" provision on the basis of having a contagious illness and is not able to participate in person.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting recessed at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the following closed session items:
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(1)
Name of Case: Robison v. City of Pasadena, et al.
Los Angeles County Superior Case No.: 22AHCV00085
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 94956.9(d)(1)
Name of case: Davenport, S. v. City of Pasadena, etal.
Los Angeles Superior Court Case No. 21STCV18268
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE regarding public employee
employment pursuant to Government Code Section 54957(b)(1) and 54957.6
Position: City Manager
Agency Designated Representative: Victor M. Gordo
The above closed session items were discussed, with no reportable action at this time.
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CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY
NEGOTIATORS pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.8 Property Addresses: 275 Arlington Drive, Pasadena, CA
Agency negotiator: Miguel Marquez
Negotiating parties: State of California, Department of Transportation
Under negotiation: Price and Terms of Payment
CONSIDERATION OF INITIATION OF LITIGATION pursuant to
Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(4): Two potential cases
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LEGAL COUNSEL
regarding significant exposure to potential litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 54956.9(d)(2): One potential case
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: Miguel Marquez and
Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn
Employee Organization: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
CITY COUNCIL CONFERENCE WITH LABOR NEGOTIATORS
pursuant to Government Code Section 54957.6
Agency Designated Representatives: Miguel Marquez and
Tiffany Jacobs-Quinn
Employee Organization: Laborers International Union of North America
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers:
Staff:
The above closed session items were not discussed.
On the order of the Mayor, the regular meeting reconvened at 6:17 p.m. The pledge of allegiance was led by Councilmember Jones.
Mayor Victor M. Gordo
Vice Mayor Jessica Rivas (absent)
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Tyron Hampton (absent)
Councilmember Justin Jones
Councilmember Jason Lyon
Councilmember Steve Madison
Councilmember Gene Masuda
Assistant City Manager Matt Hawkesworth
City Attorney/City Prosecutor Michele Beal Bagneris
City Clerk Mark Jomsky
Council Minutes203/30/2026
CEREMONIAL MATTERS
PUBLIC COMMENT ON
MATTERS NOT ON THE
AGENDA
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Mayor Gordo presented a proclamation declaring the month of April 2026 as Donate Life Month in the City of Pasadena and recognized the many lives saved through organ donations. Alien Jolley, One Legacy Ambassador, accepted the proclamation, shared information on the importance of becoming a registered donor, and invited the public to participate in the Donate Life Run Walk at Azusa Pacific University taking place at the end of April.
Mayor Gordo also presented a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Earth Month and April 22, 2026 as Earth day in the City of Pasadena.
Lindsey Paige McCloy, Sustainability Administrator, and Lauren Siegel, Chair of the Environmental Advisory Commission, accepted the proclamation, thanked the City Council for recognizing Earth Day and Earth Month, shared environmentally friendly activities scheduled on April 18, 2026 at Villa Park and Brookside Park, and encouraged everyone to take action to protect the environment in various forms.
Ashley Du and Bernice Deng, Pasadena residents, advocated for the City Council to pass a plastic pellet ban resolution.
Kate E., Pasadena resident, spoke on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ethical investments.
The following individuals advocated for a sister cities relationship with the City of Guanajuato, Mexico:
Rene Gonzalez, Pasadena resident
Connie De la Torre, Pasadena resident
Gaeun Kwon, CJ Olive Young, USA, expressed gratitude to be opening up their first North American flagship store in the City.
JT Parr, residence not stated, provided comments on development of the Metro K Line.
Melvin D., residence not stated, advocated for a singles week for social interaction.
Chad Kroeger, residence not stated, sang a snippet of "More Than Friends" for the City Council.
Olden Denham, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding local labor matters and officer-involved shootings.
Rose Malmberg, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding unpermitted operations at Elli Banquet Hall on Lake Ave.
Council Minutes303/30/2026
CONSENT CALENDAR
City Council
APPOINTMENTS,
REAPPOINTMENTS, &
RESIGNATIONS
RESIGNATION OF HEATHER ROBB FROM THE
ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMISSION (At Large
Nomination/District 3)
City Clerk/ Secretary
MINUTES APPROVED
CLAIMS RECEIVED AND
FILED
{'
MOTION:
ORDINANCES -
SECOND READING
February 23, 2026 City Council
February 23, 2026 Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council
Successor Agency to the Pasadena
Community Development Commission
City Council Special Meeting
City Council Special Meeting
March 2, 2026
March 2, 2026
March 7, 2026
March 8, 2026
Claim No. Claimant
2026-0231 Jerome Vaughn
2026-0232 Micheline McFartand
2026-0233 Anthony McFarland
2026-0234 Aleksandr Verniss
2026-0235 Live Nation Worldwide and
Creative Artists Agency
Claim Amount
$35,000.00+
35,000.00+
35,000.00+
154.66
35,000.00+
It was moved by Councilmember Lyon, seconded by Councilmember Masuda, to approve all items on the Consent Calendar. (Motion unanimously approved) (Absent: Councilmember Hampton and Vice Mayor Rivas)
Adopt "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA AMENDING THE LIGHT AND POWER RATE
ORDINANCE, TITLE 13, CHAPTER 13.04 OF THE PASADENA
MUNICIPAL CODE" (Ordinance No. 7466)
City Clerk Jomsky reported that two letters expressing concerns and/or opposition to the proposed ordinance amendment were received by the City Clerk's Office, distributed to the City Council, posted online, and made part of the public record for this item.
The above ordinance was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Jones, Lyon, Madison, Masuda, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hampton and Vice Mayor Rivas
ABSTAIN: None
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RECQMMENDATIQNS
FROM OFFICERS AND
DEPARTMENTS
City Manager
Adopt "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA ADDING
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 9, ARTICLE XIII,
CHAPTER 100 TO ADOPT AN ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
STATEMENT AND CREATE A PRIVATE RIGHT OF ACTION FOR
AGGRIEVED INDIVIDUALS" (Ordinance No. 7467)
Yadi, Pasadena resident, expressed support for the ordinance and advocated for explicit privacy protections to be mentioned in the ordinance.
The above ordinance was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Jones, Lyon, Madison, Masuda, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hampton and Vice Mayor Rivas
ABSTAIN: None
Adopt "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA
AMENDING TITLE 17 (ZONING CODE), CHAPTER 61 (PERMIT
APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL), SECTION 17.61.030 (DESIGN
REVIEW) OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE, AND ADDING
SECTION 17.50.165 (OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR
HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING) TO CHAPTER 17.50 (STANDARDS
FOR SPECIFIC LAND USES) TO THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL
CODE TO ADOPT OBJECTIVE DESIGN STANDARDS FOR
HIGH-DENSITY HOUSING AND MODIFY THE DESIGN REVIEW
PROCESS FOR SUCH PROJECTS" (Ordinance No.7468)
The above ordinance was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmembers Cole, Jones, Lyon, Madison, Masuda, Mayor Gordo
NOES: None
ABSENT: Councilmember Hampton and Vice Mayor Rivas
ABSTAIN: None
CONSIDERATION OF RECONNECTING PASADENA 710 VISION
PLAN FOR THE RELINQUISHED 710 STUB PROPERTY
Recommendation: It is recommended that the City Council:
(1) Find that the action proposed in the agenda report is covered by the "Common Sense" exemption set forth in State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061(b)(3) as CEQA only applies to projects that may have a significant effect on the environment; and (2) Review, discuss, and provide direction in the following areas:
Immediate Next Steps:
a. Transition the land use concepts from the Vision Plan to the Planning Department and initiate environmental analysis, entitlements, and regulatory requirements;
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b. Direct staff to continue to develop and recommend financing mechanisms for developing the 710 Stub area;
c. Direct that the 710 Stub area become the City's first sustainable, resilient and carbon neutral district;
d. Initiate work on options for City Council consideration of a governance structure to guide the development of the area; Restorative Justice:
e. Acknowledge past harms to former residents, businesses and institutions required to vacate the relinquishment and
surrounding area to clear the path for the freeway construction; f. Consider and/or further research all targets, goals, and programs delineated in the Restorative Justice Framework of the Vision Plan report as part of consideration of a Citywide approach to restorative justice. This includes the draft definition of restorative justice, targets for affordable housing, the creation of a community oversight committee, a community benefits planning framework, policies for wealth generation through home and business ownership, business development support, workforce development, and other public benefits through Restorative Justice;
Land Use:
g. Set a goal of developing a minimum of 1 ,800 residential units in the relinquishment area. This will include a mix of units for ownership and rentals of varying affordability and size; Mobility, Access and Reconnection:
h. To advance reconnection, accessibility, multi-modal and active transportation, and community safety, include the Boulevard and Paseos street and access concept as the working option to carry forward in the land use entitlement process (item "a" above); Direct staff to continue to work in partnership with Caltrans regarding the transition of the existing freeway-to-freeway to a local-to-freeway/freeway-to-local access system, as well as in the creation of Transit Mobility Hub on Caltrans property in the area immediately north of and connected to the relinquishment area;
Other Items:
j. Direct staff to continue to work with Caltrans to identify a new location for the stormwater facility located in the southern portion of the relinquishment area; and
k. Continue to grow existing partnerships - and seek new partnerships - with public, private, and non-profit agencies and entities that enhance the delivery of positive outcomes from the relinquishment area for the City of Pasadena and its residents and businesses.
Recommendation of the Reconnecting Communities 710
Advisory Group: At their final meeting on March 18, 2026, the Reconnecting Communities 710 Advisory Group voted not to take a position on the Vision Plan. They instead chose to submit their own report to the City Council "...to highlight, supplement and make Council Minutes603/30/2026
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certain recommendations regarding the Vision Plan". Please see Attachment C of the agenda report.
Brenda Han/ey-Williams, Assistant City Manager, provided introductory comments on the item, acknowledged the various departments that have collaborated on the 710 Stub project, and presented a clip from Amplify, the documentary commissioned by the City on the history of the 710 Stub. She also announced that the documentary won two awards, the 2025 Davey Award and the 2025 MarCom Award. Mayor Gordo commended Suzanne Madison and the entire Allegra Consulting team for winning these two prestigious honors.
Wendy Macias, Project Manager, provided a Powerpoint
Presentation on the historical data of the 710-freeway site, findings from a UCLA study on the impacts of the 710 Freeway on Pasadena, oral history gathered by Allegra Consulting, historical implications, and redress actions. DannyParker, Chair of the 710 Advisory Group, thanked the City Council, City staff, the 710 Advisory Group, the meeting attendees, and everyone who collaborated on the 710 Stub project. Chair Parker provided a brief overview of the discussions had by the Advisory Group and subcommittees, and how they reached the proposed recommendations noting key themes of flexibility, community, and promoting the local economy, as well as the importance of placemaking and public art. Tina Williams, Chair of the Restorative Justice Standing Committee, and Wayne Brandt, Chair of the Land Use and Mobility Standing Committee, both provided recaps of topics and discussions held by their respective standing committees. Kate Howe, Perkins Eastman Consulting, provided a Powerpoint presentation summarizing the proposed 710 Vision Plan. She presented information on the concepts of the plan, including flexible land use, restorative justice elements, physical reconnection of the land, and transportation frameworks/goals for the project. Vaughan Davies, Perkins Eastman Consulting, presented the design principles and vision concepts for the street design framework and urban spaces. David Grannis, reported on the numerous regional partnerships involved in the ongoing project (Caltrans, SCAG, Metro, etc.). Jennifer Paige, Planning Director, reported on the next steps to develop a Specific Plan for the area.
Councilmembers Jones and Cole advocated for careful
considerations regarding where traffic is redistributed in the project area to minimize impacts to surrounding areas.
Blair Milter, Pasadena resident, urged the City Council to take the 710 Advisory Group's recommendations into careful
consideration and utilize suitable metrics to measure and define success.
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Veronica Dolleschel, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City to consider elements of housing, traffic patterns, and repairing the harms of the past as the 710 Stub project moves forward.
The following individuals expressed support for the proposed restorative justice initiatives as a means of accountability for past harms and/or provided related comments:
Bert Newton, Pasadena resident
Jacqueline Kuykenball, Greenline Housing
Pastor Kerwin Manning, Pasadena resident
Wes Hampton, Pasadena Voices Orange Grove Residents
Council, requested access to the traffic simulation study for the proposed project, and advocated for speed traffic cameras and implementing noise reduction technology.
Gabo Lizardo, Chair of Arts & Culture Commission, advocated for the City to prioritize public art and cultural infrastructure as part of the proposed project.
Thomas Tai, Pasadena resident, advocated for the City Council to prioritize increased housing objectives in the proposed project.
Michael Warner II, Pasadena resident, emphasized the
importance of maintaining emergency access points to
Huntington Hospital when implementing the 710 Stub Vision Plan.
Catherine Jurca, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns
regarding the project and study area boundaries, and
requested a more definitive study report.
Marcus Renner, Pasadena resident, advocated for larger public spaces, the creation of an interpretive center to presen/e community history, and a community-driven planning process.
Michael Canavan, Pasadena resident, encouraged more
ambitious housing goals as being essential to reconnecting communities and addressing past displacement.
Ed Riddle, Pasadena resident, expressed concerns regarding affordability of senior housing and its lack of emphasis in the proposed project.
Councilmember Madison thanked the 710 Advisory Group, City staff, and all stakeholders for their collaborative efforts on the project. He requested City staff to return in two weeks with a decision-making framework and recommended sequencing of such decisions.
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BRIEF REPORTS FROM
REPRESENTATIVES/RE
QUESTS FOR FUTURE
AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
Mayor Gordo also requested information on feasibility and financing for the entire project, various ownership models, governance models for long-term management, and potential impacts of SB79 implementation and increased density in the design and
implementation of the 710 Vision Plan.
Following discussion, on the order of the Mayor, by consensus of the City Council, the information was received and filed, with the item to return on April 13,2026.
Mayor Gordo requested City staff to look into a permanent art piece to commemorate the LA Olympics taking place in 2028, possibly at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center.
On ordef^ of the Mayor, the regular meeting of the City Council adjourne^l ^jt 9:32 p.m.
h.
VicTSr M. Gor9o, Mayor
City of Pasadena
r City^
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