Pasadena · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pasadena public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Water waste prohibition ordinance update
The council updated the city's water waste rules and drought shortage plans. One resident asked for a landscape exemption district to protect the historic landscaping along Orange Grove Boulevard, the city's front door.
EPA grant for Sunset Complex Groundwater Treatment Plant
The city accepted $959,752 in federal grant money to help build the Sunset Complex Groundwater Treatment Plant, supporting local drinking water supplies. Some residents asked for clarity on the project's total cost and ratepayer impact.
PUSD school board election endorsement
A Pasadena councilmember is endorsing Dennis McNamara for the PUSD District 7 school board seat, and it’s not just inside baseball: West Pasadena’s remaining school sites are heading into big development calls, including a $128 million San Rafael Elementary rebuild. So this endorsement could help decide who shapes those expensive, long-term school facilities decisions.
Police drone-as-first-responder expansion
The police department got $39,196 to train more drone operators. Councilmember Lyon pressed for public clarity, and Lt. Russo confirmed the money is for SWAT tactical drone training — not a drones-as-first-responder program, which the council will debate separately.
Urban Coyote Conflict Management
Pasadena is holding a free coyote workshop Saturday so wildlife experts can explain coyote behavior and how to keep them out of your yard. A new city-commissioned report also points to overflowing trash and litter as a big reason coyotes stick around. Translation: better trash habits may be part of the fix.
Infant and early childhood mental health funding
A $265,000 L.A. Care grant will fund a new infant and early childhood mental health program, including one limited-term staff position.
Zoning appeal hearing set for 3140 E. California Blvd.
The council set a November 10 public hearing on an appeal of the Board of Zoning Appeals' approval of a 4,955-square-foot, two-story house at 3140 E. California Blvd.
Motorola Radio Contract and Vendor Lock-In
Speakers urged the council to reject a $3.53 million Motorola radio contract because the company sells surveillance and data services used by ICE. The council tabled it and wants a full report on alternatives, costs, and whether the city can escape Motorola's regional monopoly.
Brookside Park stormwater capture project
Adopting the water management plan, Cole warned that climate change threatens the imported water Pasadena depends on for 40-60% of supply, and pushed for more Raymond Basin recharge, conservation, and recycling — which could also lower rates.
North Fair Oaks Black Legacy District funding
Organizers previewed the February 21 Black History Festival at 10-3, marking one year since the Eaton Fire, plus a February 27 breakfast. The council also honored the late Sonia Amos and photographer Peter Reed Miller.
Carbon-free energy by 2030 funding gap
Roughly a dozen residents blasted the draft CIP for leaving municipal solar and the Broadway battery storage unfunded while allocating $33 million for a new PWP headquarters, defying the 2030 carbon-free goal. Council members echoed the criticism, and staff promised a clarifying funding document before next week's CIP hearing.
Police acquisition of military-surplus armored personnel carrier
The council approved the annual military equipment report and a new drone policy, but only after a long debate about privacy, the surveillance vendor Flock, and whether drones should fly first-responder missions beyond SWAT. Any testing will happen off-site, and any purchase must come back through CPOC, Public Safety and the full council.
Flock surveillance technology
Multiple speakers raised concerns about the city's Flock license plate readers, data sharing with federal agencies, and a proposed $3.6 million real-time crime center in the budget, urging a moratorium and a comprehensive privacy program. The Flock discussion continues at the April 15 Public Safety Committee meeting.
Rose Bowl Riders eviction from Hahamonga Park
Several young riders and volunteers urged the council to preserve the RBR equestrian facility and the Myrtle Hill Farm programs that serve Girl Scouts, schoolchildren, and therapeutic riding participants.
Rose Bowl lease dispute
Speakers urged the council to pause eviction proceedings against the 80-year-old Rose Bowl Riders equestrian group and meet with its leadership, saying communication has broken down.
Eaton Fire repair construction tax exemption
A resident urged the council to press the governor for a property insurance emergency declaration, warning neighbors are losing coverage and being squeezed on vegetation clearance.
Senior affordable housing at 280 Ramona Street
The council approved $2.76 million in federal HOME funds for a 100-unit senior housing project, but a resident flagged that per-unit costs have climbed to $878,000 and completion isn't expected until late 2028.
Rent stabilization fair-return delays
The Rental Housing Board's first annual report shows 25 evictions rescinded and district data revealing Districts 6 and 7 lead in at-risk housing indicators. Councilmembers pressed for performance metrics and acknowledgment of the rocky rollout.
Artificial turf vs. natural grass at Villa and Robinson Park
The council put $1.125 million toward field replacement but stayed neutral on turf type, sending the question to committee — possibly meeting at the park itself. Coaches credit the current turf with keeping kids playing soccer safely; opponents cite PFAS, heat, and microplastic risks.
Guanajuato sister city dispute
Residents pressed Mayor Gordo to respond to an invitation from Guanajuato, Mexico, saying the unanswered letter reflects a pattern of disrespect toward Pasadena's Latino community.
Motel voucher shortage and homelessness enforcement data
The point-in-time count was received and filed but referred to the Homeless and Housing Planning Committee. A housing advocate reported over 300 unsheltered residents, fully subscribed motel vouchers, and asked for monthly public dashboards and more funding.
Street safety and unfunded transportation projects
Councilmembers pressed staff on the $163 million backlog of unfunded safety projects — only $630,000 is allocated this year. Residents asked for speed humps, safer routes to school, and faster action; staff promised a long-term funding approach in the coming months.
New Transit Operations and Maintenance Facility
The council is putting roughly $150 million (mostly state and county funds) into buses, a new yard, and a hydrogen fueling station. Councilmember Cole said the bigger problem is frequency — buses don't run often enough — and the new short-range transit plan aims to fix that.
Arroyo Seco tree removals
Residents protested the planned removal of 17 mature, healthy trees in the Arroyo while dead and dying trees — including 13 city-planted oaks — remain standing, calling it backwards fire-risk priorities.
Local hiring goals on city construction contracts
Councilmembers pressed for real local hiring on the library project and Lyon said he'll bring a community benefits agreement policy forward. The city manager agreed to monthly reports and real-time payroll tracking.
Vice mayor appointment process
The council adopted a policy making clear the vice mayor role follows the long-standing practice of the longest-serving member who hasn't yet served, after a messy deviation four years ago.
November 2026 ballot measure positions
Facing a structural deficit, the council is weighing new taxes for the November ballot. It unanimously directed staff to draft a fire-focused parcel tax covering station rebuilds, a new station, headquarters and a training center, and will revisit a parking tax next week. Housing advocates pushed a real property transfer tax for affordable housing instead.
Splash pad hours during extreme heat
A resident noted the city's only splash pad is closed for the season during a heat wave and asked Parks & Rec to keep it on when temperatures top 82 degrees; staff agreed to look into it.
Caltrans tenants and AB 2329
Multiple tenants described decades of deferred maintenance, health hazards, and pressure in the Caltrans home sale process, urging the city to demand a moratorium on sales and removal of Caltrans and Veterans Realty Group from the process.
Closure of La Cocina de las Abuelas commercial kitchen
The affordable commercial kitchen serving food entrepreneurs is closing after 23 years because the property owner is redeveloping the site. Vendors who rely on it — some for decades — pleaded for help finding a replacement kitchen, speeding permits, and rent support.
Summit Grove affordable housing construction defects
Homeowners at Summit Grove, Decker Court, and other city-supported affordable projects described water intrusion, black mold, health impacts, and repair funding shortfalls that threaten the projects' viability. They asked the council to meet with HOA boards and allocate funds before El Niño storms arrive.
MEHKO home kitchen pilot program
Pasadena is deciding whether to let residents legally run small food businesses from their home kitchens under a state-authorized program. Supporters say it's a low-cost path to entrepreneurship, especially for women and people of color; critics worry about the $225,000 cost, parking, liability in apartments, and competition with restaurants. The council sent it back to committee for more work.
Heritage Housing Partners affordable homeownership
A long line of residents — many who bought their first home through HHP developments like Fair Oaks Court and Lincoln & Orange Grove — praised the nonprofit's work, pushing back against criticism of its projects and urging continued city support.
Electric revenue refunding bonds
The council finalized an update to the city's electric utility rate ordinance on second reading.
Citywide artificial intelligence policy
Residents and Councilmember Jones raised the lack of a citywide AI policy as departments experiment with AI tools. The council agreed the issue should go to a committee, with concerns about data protection and AI agents.
Council Meeting Day Change to Tuesdays
Voters and watchers of city government should note council meetings will now regularly fall on Tuesdays, per a unanimously adopted ordinance.
CREEK environmental education center at Hahamongna
The council's approval of the Outward Bound Adventures pre-development agreement launches the transformation of a neglected 30-acre former Forest Service compound into the Creek environmental education center, with partners including the Trust for Public Land and Pasadena City College.
City Budget Workshop Postponed
The budget workshop continuation didn't happen because the safe parking hearing ran so long — budget priorities and mid-year adjustment protocols will be taken up another night.
Commissioner term limits and vacancies
A new ordinance limits commissioners to two four-year terms (three for operating companies), aiming to bring new voices in — but opponents noted the city already has roughly 100 vacancies and struggles to recruit. A one-year look-back review was added.
Electric bond refinancing
Refinancing up to $104 million in electric debt is expected to save about $6.8 million in interest; a resident urged that savings go directly to ratepayer bill relief amid compounding rate hikes.
Eaton Wash Stormwater Capture Project
The council approved a stormwater capture project adding 3.5 acres of park space, over objections about tree removal, truck traffic, and whether more water could be captured.
State Route 710 relinquishment
The council set the direction for redeveloping the 50-acre former 710 freeway stub: at least 1,800 homes, a new boulevard and linear park, tax-increment financing, and a carbon-neutral district designation. Restorative justice elements for the displaced neighborhoods were split off for a later meeting. Actual construction is years away — this vote starts the entitlement and environmental review process.
LIUNA Local 777 labor negotiations
City workers in LIUNA Local 777 told the council the city's offer — under $1 an hour for most members — isn't keeping up with costs, and employees are leaving for better-paying cities. The council took up negotiations in closed session.
Police Heliport Hangar Expansion and Budget Transparency
The council approved a bigger hangar for the police helicopters, but Councilmember Cole objected that the $924,000 cost jump surfaced only two months after the capital budget was adopted. The city manager committed to better timely reporting on capital projects going forward.
ASME City Workers' Contract Negotiations
City workers represented by AFSCME packed the chamber asking for raises better than the offered 1%, saying Pasadena has become a training ground as employees leave for higher-paying cities. They highlighted their work through windstorms, COVID and the Eaton Fire.
Central Library seismic retrofit construction contract
The city hired Geocon West for up to $335,950 to do materials testing and inspections for the Central Library seismic retrofit — a step toward reopening the library, expected around 2028.
Earthquake Retrofit Grants for Apartment Owners
Pasadena apartment owners who’ve been ordered to earthquake-retrofit their buildings can now apply for state grants to help cover the work. That could mean lower retrofit costs getting passed on to renters.
Pre-hospital blood program for Pasadena Fire
A $300,000 contract means Pasadena firefighters can give blood at the scene, cutting time-to-blood from about 35 minutes to 16 and boosting survival odds.
Rental Housing Board fee authority dispute
An apartment association spokesman told the council that proposed new rent board fees for parking, pets and short repairs exceed the city charter's authority and could trigger litigation.
Landmark district policy and housing affordability
Two more landmark districts were approved, and Council Member Cole questioned whether the city is 'backing into' covering ever-larger swaths with preservation rules. A speaker warned landmark districts can be used to block housing density and affordability.