Pasadena · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pasadena public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
Tree protection ordinance and PUSD tree removal
Multiple speakers thanked the council for enforcing the tree protection ordinance against the school district's tree removals, urging full penalties, updated soil testing and a meeting between the city, school board and community.
PUSD removal of 193 trees
Residents, including a 17-year-old who sat in an oak tree for eight hours, urged the council to stop PUSD's removal of 193 healthy trees for soil remediation, arguing the city's tree protection ordinance requires permits. Hampton and Cole promised to press the school district and city staff on jurisdiction.
Arroyo Seco Water Reuse Project DEIR
Several speakers, including members of the Kizh Nation and LA neighborhood groups, demanded the 45-day comment period on the project's draft EIR be extended to 90 days, citing a sacred burial site at San Pasqual, mature trees, and flawed infiltration analysis. The council took no action on the non-agenda comments.
City and PUSD Green Energy Initiatives
The city is spending $20 million on municipal solar at five sites, and the school district plans solar canopies over parking lots at three campuses first, totaling 6.25 megawatts in phase one. The district learned the hard way that its old power purchase agreement cost it savings — owning panels with bond money could have saved $1.2 million in 2024. Councilmember Cole wants PWP to consider a special rate structure so the district's solar investment counts toward the city's 100% clean energy goal.
Plastic Pellet Pollution
Young residents urged the council to adopt a resolution curbing plastic pellet (nurdle) pollution, noting roughly 10 trillion pellets escape into the environment annually and current state law doesn't cover the full supply chain.
Solar energy at municipal facilities
The city is moving ahead with rooftop solar at four branch libraries and the maintenance yards using a faster Design-Build method. Advocates say the city should hurry — federal tax credits worth up to 30% expire soon — and plan far more solar to hit its 2030 carbon-free goal.
Wildfire rebuilding and gas vs. electric
SoCal Gas told the council it's restoring gas service free to Eaton Fire survivors, with up to $10,000 in efficiency incentives. Several speakers pushed back hard, arguing rebuilding with gas costs homeowners $20,000-$30,000 more, harms health, and conflicts with the city's climate emergency declaration.
Master Street Tree Plan and urban forest
The council modernized its decades-old street tree species list, with Lyon pressing to keep flexibility on coastal live oaks and a fuller forestry master plan coming next fiscal year.