CITY OF PASADENA
MUNICIPAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
VILLA PARKE COMMUNITY CENTER AUDITORIUM
363 E. VILLA ST., PASADENA CA 91101
JUNE 23, 2026
SPECIAL MEETING
OPENING
ROLL CALL:
Staff:
INFORMATION ONLY
of the Municipal Services
J
The Chair called the special meeting
Committee to order at 5:12 p.m.
CouncilmemberJustin Jones, Chair
CouncilmemberTyron Hampton
Councilmember Rick Cole
Councilmember Jason Lyon
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power
Koko Panossian, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Kenneth James, Recreation and Community Sen/ices Administrator Pamela Cantero, Recreation and Community Services Superintendent Lisa Hosey, Assistant City Attorney
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary
ATHLETIC FIELD SURFACE REPLACEMENT AT VILLA PARKE
AND ROBINSON PARK
David Reyes, General Manager of Water and Power, provided introductory comments, and Koko Panossian, Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, summarized the staff memo as part of the Powerpoint presentation on the item, including providing information on the impacts on natural grass fields related to usage, impact of converting to natural grass, athletic field surface field survey, water conservation, maintenance cost, field demand, alternative fields evaluated, and next general turf technology, with both and responding to questions.
Betty Gao, Recording Secretary, reported that 12 letters 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. In addition, she reported that letters previously received regarding this item have also been posted online.
The following individuals expressed concerns regarding artificial turf, health and safety risks associated with turf usage, environmental and heat concerns, and/or provided other related comments on the matter:
Suzanne York, Pasadena resident
Cynthia Cannady, Pasadena resident
Anne Laforti, representing SoCal Stop Artificial Turf Task Force Mike Polka, Pasadena resident
Lauren Siegel, Pasadena resident
Clara Carmichael, Los Angeles resident
Ana Soulriver, Pasadena resident
Charlotte Brooks, Pasadena resident
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02 The following individuals voiced support for artificial turf, expanding field play time, and/or provided other related comments on the matter:
Daniel Robinson, Pasadena resident
Vince Ramos, representing Resilient Floor and Decorative Covering Beverly Bogar, representing West Pasadena Little League Myung-soo Seok, Representing Painters and Allied Trades DC 36 Monica Osuna, Pasadena resident
Felipe Chaure, Pasadena resident
Juan, representing Team Chivitas
Chris Medina, representing Villa Parke Youth Soccer Organization and Adult Sports Management Soccer League
Florinda Ramirez, Pasadena resident
Desserie Romero, Pasadena resident
Councilmember Hampton emphasized the importance of understanding the potential health impacts of artificial turf, identifying all turf materials, and implementing a heat mitigation plan if artificial turf is selected; and stressed the importance of maintaining quality recreational space for youth. He asked staff to explore alternative field options, such as hybrid fields, and to consult with Rose Bowl staff regarding their expertise in turf maintenance.
Councilmember Cole stated that he was not prepared to support a vote until additional information on the matter was provided and a broader range of options were presented. hie echoed Councilmember Hampton's recommendation to consult with Rose Bowl staff and explore natural grass, hybrid, and artificial turf options, as well as enhanced field maintenance practices. He encouraged collaboration with the Rose Bowl and Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) to identify additional field availability and recommended forming an ad hoc committee to further evaluate the available turf options and field maintenance practices.
Councilmember Lyon echoed Councilmembers Hampton and Cole's remarks regarding the need to explore alternative field options and asked for a balanced presentation outlining the implications and implementation plan for natural grass. He also encouraged collaboration with PUSD to identify alternative field availability and stated that he was not prepared to vote on the matter until additional information is provided.
In response to Chair Jone's inquiry regarding Rose Bowl availability, Kenneth James, Recreation and Community Services Administrator, stated that the Rose Bowl hosts frequent activities and events, making it difficult to dedicate field time for community use, and responded to questions.
Chair Jones expressed concerns with prolonged downtime at the park could lead to undesirable activity and emphasized the importance of keeping park facilities active.
In response to Chair Jones' inquiry regarding park programming, Pamela Cantero, Recreation and Community Services Superintendent, provided a brief overview of activities and programs offered at Villa Parke Community Center, and responded to questions.
06/23/2026
ADJOURNMENT
In response to the Committee inquiry, Lisa Hosey, Assistant City Attorney, clarified that an ad hoc committee of the City Council could be established by the Mayor to further review the matter and responded to questions.
Following discussion, the Committee thanked the community members for their participation, staff for their work on the item, and Villa Parke staff for hosting the meeting.
Following further discussion, the Committee directed staff to work with the City Manager's Office to engage with the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) and Rose Bowl to evaluate a full range of field surface options and associated mitigation strategies, and present the item to the City Council for further discussion and consideration.
On the order of the Chair, the special meeting of the Municipal Services Committee was adjourned at 7:13 p.m.
ATTEST:
CouncJlfn^mberJi^fii^ Jones, Chair
Mur^c)pal Serviqfes/Committee
(/'
Betty'6ao
Recording Secretary
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