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Ordinance Fact Sheet
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CITY COUNCIL
CITY ATTORNEY
DATE: May 18,2026
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA AMENDING
PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 2, ARTICLES III AND IV TO
UPDATE PROVISIONS REGARDING TERM LIMITS AND TRAINING OF
MEMBERS OF ADVISORY BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES
AND BOARDS OF OPERATING COMPANIES CREATED BY CITY
COUNCIL
TITLE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCE
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASADENA AMENDING PASADENA
MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 2, ARTICLES III AND IV TO UPDATE PROVISIONS
REGARDING TERM LIMITS AND TRAINING OF MEMBERS OF ADVISORY
BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND BOARDS OF OPERATING
COMPANIES CREATED BY CITY COUNCIL
PURPOSE OF ORDINANCE
On December 16, 2024, the City Council considered recommendations proposed by City Council's Legislative Policy Committee to direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance to amend Pasadena Municipal Code Chapter 2.45 to require training specified by City Council for all members of advisory boards, commissions, committees and operating company boards; and, amend Pasadena Municipal Code, Articles III and IV to revise limits on the terms of all members of those advisory boards, commissions, committees, and operating company boards. Thereafter, the City Council approved the staff recommendation, as amended, to direct the City Attorney to prepare an ordinance and referred the draft ordinance to the Legislative Policy Committee ("Committee") for review and input prior to submitting it to the full City Council for consideration.
During meetings held on March 5,2025,July 1, 2025, and October 7, 2025, the Committee considered and provided recommendations on a draft ordinance. Thereafter, .•o6y-o®y-2o^e-
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COMMISSIONER TERM LIMITS AND
TRAINING ORDINANCE FACT SHEET
May 18,2026
the Committee submitted the matter to the full City Council. At its meeting held on February 9, 2026, City Council directed staff to return to City Council with an ordinance requiring that term limits both for advisory boards, commissions, and committees created by Council ("Article III Commissions"), and for boards of nonprofit corporations - Pasadena Community Access Corporation ("PCAC"), Pasadena Center Operating Company ("PCOC"), and Rose Bowl Operating Company ("RBOC"), collectively, "Article IV Boards" - would be for no more than twelve consecutive years or three consecutive four-year terms. Note, Article III Commissions, PCAC, and PCOC boards currently have limits of two three-year terms. Term limits would apply to all Board Members (both Articles III & IV) nominated by the Mayor or Council members, except members of parking commissions in Article III, and the commercial property member of the PCOC Board. Moreover, term limits do not apply to Board Members such as the City Manager (or representative), City Council members on Article IV Boards, or members nominated by outside entities, such as the Tournament of Roses Association, Pasadena Area Community College, PUSD, or UCLA. The nominating authority must renominate or nominate an individual eligible to fill Council nominated seats within six months after the term's expiration. Otherwise, the Board Member whose term has expired must immediately vacate that seat. If, as of June 30, 2026, a Board Member would have already served at least twelve consecutive years in a particular seat, that member shall vacate that seat on or before December 31, 2026. Finally, City Council directed that, within 90 days following their appointment or reappointment, all Board Members are required to undertake training provided by city staff on the Brown Act, conflict of interest laws, other appropriate governance subjects, and standards to promote individual and overall board effectiveness.
The draft ordinance that included the terms recited above was placed on the May 11, 2026, City Council agenda. At that meeting, City Council member Cole made an amending motion to direct staff to return with an ordinance that limited service on both Article III Commissions and Article IV Boards to two consecutive four-year terms. During City Council's discussion of the item, certain City Council members expressed interest in directing that the Article IV Boards be limited to three four-year terms. Near the end of the discussion, the Assistant City Attorney incorrectly stated that RBOC Board Members currently are limited to three four-year terms. Only initial RBOC Board members in 2007 were authorized to serve three terms; subsequent RBOC Board members could serve only two consecutive four-year terms. After further discussion, City Council moved to direct the City Attorney to return with an ordinance that limits Article III Commission members to two four-year terms and Article IV Board members to three four-year terms (5 ayes, 2 nays (Madison, Masuda), with Gordo absent). In accordance with City Council's direction, the proposed ordinance reflects that Article III Commissioners will be limited to two four-year terms, except members of parking commissions in Article III, XB9420JQOD2EXK
COMMISSIONER TERM LIMITS AND
TRAINING ORDINANCE FACT SHEET
May 18,2026
and applicable1 Article IV Board Members (/.e., operating companies), will be limited to three four-year terms.
REASON WHY LEGISLATION IS NEEDED
An ordinance is needed to revise the term limits of advisory boards, commissions, committees and operating company boards so they are clear and enforceable. This ordinance will also codify a requirement that Board Members receive required training to serve on their respective advisory bodies.
PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENTS OR GROUPS AFFECTED
Board Members will be affected by this ordinance, as it will affect their terms and required training. The City Attorney's Office, with the assistance of the City Manager's Office, will coordinate the required training programs. The Offices of the Mayor/City Council and City Clerk monitor and updates the eligibility of Board Members of all advisory boards, commissions, committees and operating company boards.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no anticipated fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed revisions of the Pasadena Municipal Code.
1 Alt Board Members other than the City Manager (or representative), City Council members on Article IV Boards, members nominated by outside entities, and the PCOC board member who has an economic interest in Midtown/CivicAuditorium area commercial real property.
XB9420JQOD2EXK
COMMISSIONER TERM LIMITS AND
TRAINING ORDINANCE FACT SHEET
May 18,2026
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION
This action is not considered to be a project under the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA"), which excludes from environmental review actions that are not "projects" as defined by California Public Resources Code ("PRC") Section 21065 and within the meaning of CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b). PRC Section 21065 and CEQA Guidelines Section 15378(b) define a project as an action which may cause either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 excludes from the definition of "project" administrative activities of governments that will not result in direct or indirect physical changes in the environment. The actions proposed herein are administrative activities and therefore such actions are not "projects" as defined by CEQA. Since the actions are not projects subject to CEQA, no environmental document is required.
Respectfully submitted,
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MICHELE BEAL BAGNER1S
City Attorney^'
Prepared by:
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)ion O'Connell
Assistant City Attorney
Concurred by:
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ATTKEW E. ^AWIMATTKEW E. tfAWKESWORTH
Interim City Manager
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
May 17,2026
Mayor Victor M. Gordo & Councilmembers
Jana Stewart
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT: First Reading on May 18, 2026 - Commissioner Term Lengths/Limits Much discussion has occurred over the past 18 months regarding proposed term lengths and term limits for advisory body members. Ahead of First Reading at tomorrow's Council meeting, the following items may be of interest:
1. Extenuating Circumstances Provision
To provide needed flexibility, Council may wish to include language allowing an incumbent to remain temporarily when their expertise is essential but they have termed out. Example language:
"In the event of an extenuating circumstance in which the nominating authority deems it necessary for a City member to remain on an advisory body beyond his/her expired term for a specific time period of up to X days beyond December 31 of the current expiration year, the nominating authority may make a one-time request of the full City Council for approval to allow for this extension. At the conclusion of the specified time period, the seat will be opened as vacant."
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2. Administrative Simplicity
Switching commissions (excluding operating companies and parking commissions) from 3-year to 4-year terms complicates recordkeeping. Please consider providing three 3-year terms for commissions, as it is cleaner and easier for future staff.
3. Unanticipated Outcomes in the Current Draft Ordinance Code Enforcement Commission (CEC)
•Current PMC allows unlimited terms if re-nominated by the original nominating councilmember, which is intended to preserve continuity and historic knowledge on this particular commission.
Although the Council did not request removal of this specific language, it is absent from the draft ordinance. As a result, Councilmembers Hampton, Masuda, and Madison can no longer reappoint their longtime commissioners.
If limited to the proposed two 4-year terms, three of nine CEC seats (Districts 1, 3, 5) must be replaced or vacated by Dec. 31 of this year.
100 North Garfield Avenue • Pasadena, CA 91109
(626) 744-4111 • Fax (626) 744-3727
May 17, 2026
Code Enforcement Commission fCEC) - fcont.)
•This phrase has been eliminated for commissioners and operating company members: "A member shall continue in office for the term for which he/she was appointed". New language has been added: "If, as of June 30, 2026, an Advisory Body member will have already served at least 8 consecutive years (or 12 for operating companies) in a particular seat, that member shall vacate that seat on or before December 31, 2026." Depending on how this coupled removal and addition of phrases is interpreted, an additional five CEC members (Districts 4, 6, 7, At Large, and Mayor) that have served more than eight years as of December 31, 2026 but whose current terms expire in 2027 and beyond may also need to be replaced or removed by December 31, 2026, leaving only one seated CEC commissioner (District 2).
Applications for this commission are infrequent; loss of institutional knowledge is certain and it would be difficult to achieve quorum.
Community Police Oversight Commission (CPOC)
Community Organization seats (Gang Outreach Violence Interruption Services; Islamic Center of Southern California; Pasadena Senior Center) will have no temn limits, allowing potentially indefinite service—likely not the intent.
With the proposed two 4-year terms, five seats (Mayor, Districts 1, 3, 5, 7—45% of the commission) must be replaced or vacated by Dec. 31 of this year.
Human Services Commission
Three Agency seats (Friends In Deed, Flintridge Center + one new Agency) will also have no term limits, potentially preventing rotation among agencies.
Overall Impact
Changing from three 4-year terms to two 4-year terms will result in the replacement or removal of 30-35 commissioners by Dec. 31, 2026 (see Section 6 on page 3, and list on page 4).
4. Term Length vs. Years Served
Actual years served rarely equal the stated total of 8 or 12 years (for commissions and operating companies, respectively), because appointees complete predecessors' partial terms. For example:
Example 1: 5 years = 2 full terms
Term 1: June 10, 2021-June 30, 2023 (over 2 years -^ full term) Term 2: July 1, 2023-June 30, 2026 -> Must vacate by 12/31/26 despite only 5 years served.
Example 2: 9 years = 2 full terms
July 6, 2022-June 30, 2024 (under 2 years ^ not a full term) Term 1: July 1, 2024-June 30, 2027
Term 2:July 1, 2027-2031 -^ Must vacate by 12/31/31 after 9 years served.• Because of this inherent variation in length of service, language such as "8 years" or "12 years" is misleading and open to misinterpretation. The ordinance should reference only the number of terms and term length (i.e. "three 3-year terms" and "three 4-year terms").
May 17, 2026
5. Incumbent Expectations
Some commissioners may presume they are now eligible for extended service. However:
•
•
A commissioner who has completed the maximum two full terms (or three full terms for operating companies) could not be given an additional 1- or 2-year term to reach a full 8 or 12 years.
A vehicle for allowing an additional 1- or 2-year term should not be afforded, as the number of allowable terms is fixed to ensure preservation of staggered terms.
Phrases such as "two 4-year terms or eight years, whichever is greater" and "three 4-year terms or 12 years, whichever is greater" are confusing and should be removed.
6. Impact of Changing to Two 4-Year Terms
At last week's Council meeting, the suggested reduction from three 4-year terms to two 4-year terms for non-operating company/parking commissions was approved.
With three 4-year terms (or the administratively-preferred three 3-year terms), only three seats would be affected by Dec. 31, 2026—(Code Enforcement, District 5; PCAC, Mayor; Senior, District 6)— plus possibly five additional CEC seats as noted in Section 3 above.
With two 4-year terms, 30 seats expiring June 30, 2026 would need to be replaced or removed by Dec. 31, 2026, plus possibly five additional CEC seats as noted in Section 3 above. See page 4 for a list of these seats by District.
If the Council approves three 3-year terms for non-operating company/parking commissioners, the number of seats affected this year would be 3 to 8, versus 30 to 35. Big difference.
I hope this information is helpful as you consider First Reading on this item.
May 17, 2026
IF USING TWO 4-YEAR TERMS FOR COMMISSIONERS, THESE MEMBERS WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REMOVED BY 12/31/26:
DISTRICT COMMISSION
1 Code Enforcement Commission
1 Community Police Oversight Commission
1 Human Services Commission
1 Library Commission
2 Planning Commission
3 Code Enforcement Commission
3 Community Police Oversight Commission
3 Environmental Advisory Commission
3 Recreation & Parks Commission
3 Senior Commission
NAME
Patrick Cabral
Esprit Loren Jones
Latasha D. Jamal
Chelsea Dickerson
Julianna Delgado
Renee Morgan-hlampton
Donald R. Matthews
David Cutter
Treasure Sheppard
Mattie Betts
TERM EXP.
Jun-30-24
Jun-30-24
Jun-30-25
Jun-30-25
Jun-30-26
Jun-30-26
Jun-30-26
Jun-30-26
Ju n-30-24
Jun-30-23
4 Arts & Culture Commission
5 Code Enforcement Commission
5 Community Police Oversight Commission
5 Environmental Advisory Commission
5 Recreation & Parks Commission
6 Library Commission
6 Recreation & Parks Commission
6 Senior Commission
7 Accessibility & Disability Commission
7 Community Police Oversight Commission
7 Senior Commission
7 Transportation Advisory Commission
At Large/5 Planning Commission
At Large/6 Design Commission
City Urban Forestry Advisory Committee
Mayor Community Police Oversight Commission
Mayor Historic Preservation Commission
Mayor PCAC Board
Mayor Planning Commission
Mayor Recreation & Parks Commission
Estelle Campbell Jun-30-25
Michael Warner Jun-30-26
Raul Ibanez Jun-30-26
lesha Siler Jun-30-26
Terri Ashley-MacQuarrie Jun-30-24
Leslie Rosenthal Jun-30-26
Mark Mastromatteo Jun-30-25
Angie Mont O'Brien Jun-30-09
Andrea Jennings Jun-30-24
Lawrence Lurvey Jun-30-26
Chelsea Mason Jun-30-26
Glenn Camhi Jun-30-26
Carol Hunt Hernandez Jun-30-26
Srinivas M. Rao Jun-30-25
Bernard hlalloran Jun-30-25
Phillip J. Argento Jun-30-26
Juan de la Cruz Jun-30-24
Gail Schaper-Gordon Jun-30-20
Mic Hansen Jun-30-26
Tim Martinez Jun-30-25
DEPENDING ON ORDINANCE INTERPRETATION FOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION, THESE COMMISSIONERS MAY ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REMOVED BY 12/31/26, IRRESPECTIVE OF PROPOSED TERM LENGTH:
4 Code Enforcement Commission
At Large/4 Code Enforcement Commission
6 Code Enforcement Commission
7 Code Enforcement Commission
Mayor Code Enforcement Commission
Harvey Gardner Jun-30-29
Ellie Podway Jun-30-29
William R. Francis Jun-30-27
Imran Chaudhry Jun-30-28
Mary Machado Schammel Jun-30-28
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OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
June 4, 2026
TO: Mayor Victor M. Gordo & Councilmembers
FROM: Jana Stewart
SUBJECT: First Reading on June 8, 2026 - Commissioner Term Lengths/Limits As a follow-up to my May 17 memo on this subject, a request has been made by a Councilmember for my recommendations on this matter.
The Council's current recommendation of Parking Commissions receiving unlimited 3-year terms and Operating Companies receiving three 4-year terms—with provisions as previously discussed for certain seats—will work well from an administrative standpoint.
Before approving First Reading, it is respectfully suggested that the Council prioritize several additional clear and straightforward targeted revisions to facilitate the production of a workable, coherently structured, and enforceable ordinance that avoids any ambiguous or impractical provisions.
Taken collectively, these four recommendations outline a clear path to achieving this outcome and are offered for the Council's consideration:
1. All commissions/committees (except Code Enforcement) receive three 3-year terms. As currently drafted, two 4-year terms will result in 30+ commissioners being removed by December 31. Keeping the current 3-year structure for commissions simplifies administration and reduces end-of-year turnover to roughly five seats.
2. Code Enforcement Commission: treat separately from all other commissions, and expand existing PMC language to allow for continued longevity of service. If not considered separately, Section 2.45.015D of the ordinance as drafted will affect numerous current members and require their departure by December 31, 2026. See page 3 for sample language.
3. Remove ambiguous language from draft ordinance: "Members of Advisory Bodies shall be appointed for a term of X years and shall serve no more than 8 / 12 consecutive years or three consecutive full terms , whichever is greater, on the same Advisory Body." Rationale: It's not the number of years served, but the total number of terms served that is important here. As mentioned previously, the number of consecutive years served will be different for everyone, but the allowable number of consecutive full terms is fixed. As such, an advisory body member 1) may not necessarily reach "X consecutive years"; 2) the "whichever is greater" language is open to misinterpretation and challenge; and 3) no remedy is available to maximize the number of years served, so removal of the confusing language is recommended.
4. Consider adding a time-limited provision for extenuating circumstances. As currently drafted, the ordinance will no longer allow "holdovers" beyond six months, but extenuating circumstances do sometimes arise where an incumbent's knowledge/expertise may be needed beyond this timeframe.
In the event of any unforeseen situation, by adding this provision the Council would simply need to take a vote to approve any such action. Sample language to allow for a maximum of one additional six month term extension:
In the event of an extenuating circumstance requiring continued service of a City member, the appointing authority may make a one-time term extension request not to exceed June 30 of the following calendar year, provided that the City Council ratifies the extension on or before December 31 of the City member's current expiration year. At the end of the approved extension period, the seat shall be vacated.
The ordinance as currently drafted effectively addresses member holdovers, reinforces Council accountability for timely action, and restructures term length and number of allowed terms for Parking Commissions and Operating Companies.
Collective implementation of the above recommendations will also serve to restructure term length and establish term limits for all other commissions, maintain and enhance special provisions currently afforded to the Code Enforcement Commission (see next page), remove ambiguous language to support administrative efficiency, and allow for reasonable flexibility in the event of exceptional circumstances.
I hope this information is helpful as you consider this item.
Code Enforcement Commission - Treat Separately & Expand Current PMC Language The Code Enforcement Commission is distinct from all other advisory bodies in that it currently operates without a predetermined number of terms, a structure intentionally designed to preserve and retain valuable historical and procedural knowledge within the commission.
Below is a side-by-side look at the current language and sample suggested language that will expand upon current practice by aligning allowable number/length of terms with other proposed commission/ committee terms, ensuring timely action by the appointing authority, and allowing for any legitimate exceptions.
EXISTING PMC LANGUAGE:
A member shall be appointed for an initial term
of 3 years, and shall serve periodic three-year
terms thereafter if re-nominated by the
councilmember who originally nominated that
member. Terms expire on June 30th of the
applicable years. A member shall continue in
office for the term for which he/she was
appointed or until his/her successor is
appointed.
SAMPLE/SUGGESTED LANGUAGE:
A member shall be appointed for an initial term
of 3 years, and shall serve periodic three-year
terms thereafter if re-nominated by the
councilmember who originally nominated that
member. Terms expire on June 30th of the
applicable years. A member shall continue in
office for the term for which he/she was
appointed, and successor members of the City
Council responsible for the member's seat may
re-nominate the member for up to three*
additional consecutive terms per successor.
Upon completion of a third* consecutive term by
a successor Council member, the member is no
longer eligible for reappointment and shall be
replaced within 180 days or the seat will become
vacant by December 31 of the expiring year.
In the event of an extenuating circumstance
requiring continued service of a member, the
appointing authority may make a one-time term
extension request not to exceed June 30 of the
following calendar year, provided that the City
Council ratifies the extension on or before
December 31 of the member's current expiration
year. At the end of the approved extension
period, the seat shall be vacated.
* Note: current practice is to allow successor
members of the City Council to re-nominate the
member for up to two additional 3-year terms,
and then holdover is allowed.
Suggested language affords successor ability to
renominate for three 3-year terms to align with
all other commissions, plus the addition of a
term limit so as not to allow for holdover.