Pasadena · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pasadena public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
Transit investment and service frequency
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.
Street safety and maintenance funding
The Complete Streets Coalition praised the CIP but said funded projects take too long to build and urged cheap 'quick build' safety improvements. Councilmember Cole noted only $200,000 is dedicated to complete streets against $167 million in unfunded needs.
Columbia Street multimodal improvements
The council approved a $1.2 million design contract for safety improvements along Columbia Street, where the 710 stub dumps freeway traffic into neighborhoods — though Councilmember Cole warned against settling for a painted bike lane on a fast corridor.