Pasadena · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pasadena public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
SB 9 Urban Lot Splits Repeal in Eaton Fire Zone
The council moved to repeal interim ordinances that banned Senate Bill 9 lot splits and duplexes in very high fire hazard zones within the Eaton Fire boundary. The first reading passed unanimously after a public hearing with no public comment.
Parking tax as revenue option
A proposed 10% tax on commercial parking that would raise about $5 million a year and needs only a majority vote. Councilmember Cole wanted it prepared as a backup to the fire parcel tax, but the council split 4-3 against, with critics saying it's unbaked and could hurt local shopping districts.
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.
Police union contracts and rising public safety costs
New MOUs with the police officers' and lieutenants' associations will add roughly $17.6 million to the general fund over three years. Speakers argued the money should go to housing and underpaid city workers instead; councilmembers promised more transparent staff reports on future labor deals.
SB 79 Transit-Oriented Housing Delay Ordinance
The council moved a first reading of a delay ordinance for the state's transit-oriented housing law, but narrowed it — dropping exemptions for higher-density multifamily zones and adding an 18-month sunset. Final action comes June 15 with three members recused.
A.I. Stewart legacy and Pasadena's history of racial discrimination
The council voted to shrink former mayor A.I. Stewart's portrait and add a statement documenting his role in racially restrictive covenants, and to consider rescinding Herbert Hahn's Arthur Noble Award. Members also floated renaming parks, reviving the Noble Award for overlooked civil rights figures, and a broader truth-and-reckoning process.
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.
Firefighter paramedic staffing
Madison and Jones pushed to train more firefighter paramedics — the department has 12 vacancies and only 3 paramedic-certified recruits. The council agreed to fund one more training slot now and have the chief return with a plan for more by mid-year.
Enhanced Infrastructure Financing District
The council started forming an EIFD that could capture up to $230 million in future property tax growth to fund infrastructure in the 710 corridor and specific plan areas — no new taxes, but a long-term commitment. Madison abstained, wanting community outreach on the 710 first.
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.
Raymond Basin replenishment
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.
Year-Round Homeless Shelter Funding
The council set aside about $2 million as a first step toward a year-round shelter, a top council priority. Staff will make it a standing item at the Housing committee and bring a work plan with location, population, and opening target details.
Federal Military Training Exercise Transparency
Multiple residents demanded answers about an overnight federal military exercise in Northeast Pasadena that shook homes. Council members said they learned only six minutes before the public and plan a Public Safety Committee discussion.
Seismically Unsafe Fire Stations
Fire stations 33 (North Lake) and 37 (East Foothill) need full teardowns and rebuilds — tens of millions of dollars. The council explored housing-above-fire-station models and possible ballot funding.
Gang violence interruption services (GOVIS)
The council renewed Ricky Pickens Jr.'s contract for gang violence interruption at $440,201 a year after a stream of supporters — including a gunshot survivor, pastors, and former NAACP leaders — credited the team with driving violence down 82%. Some speakers urged the city to also fund complementary youth programs.
600 N. Rosemead Affordable Housing Project
A 133-unit, 100% affordable project (131 affordable + 2 manager units) combining adaptive reuse of an office building with new construction, including units set aside for Eaton Fire victims and special needs populations. Neighbors appealed over density, height, parking, noise, and transit-stop qualifications; the council found no substantial evidence supported the appeal.
Ethical Investment Policy Amendment
Speakers from Pasadena for Palestine pressed the council to explicitly name Gaza and Palestine in the forthcoming revision of the city's ethical investment policy, ahead of a May 11 decision.
Cybersecurity vendor's ICE surveillance ties
Residents urged the council to reject a $3.5 million Motorola radio contract, citing the company's contracts with ICE and DHS. The council tabled it and will get a report on alternatives, costs, and whether the city could ever exit its Motorola-dependent regional radio system.
Collaboration on Afterschool and Summer Programs
The city's ASAP program and PUSD's expanded learning program already share school sites, and joint use agreements let the city run youth sports, aquatics, and pickleball at district gyms and fields. Board members pushed the city to add academic enrichment to summer recreation programs, and Councilmember Cole raised the need to plan the future of the Jefferson School lease collaboratively.
Shared Federal Advocacy for Mandated Services
City and school leaders are teaming up to lobby federal officials for funding on vital programs like special education, housing, and public health.
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.
FY 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Program budget
The $3.2 billion capital budget hearing opened, and climate advocates said it shortchanges the city's carbon-free electricity goals — funding only a fraction of needed solar and storage while labeling unrelated maintenance as carbon-free spending. Councilmember Cole demanded alternatives on artificial turf, solar funding, and street maintenance before the May 4 adoption.
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.
Electric rate increases
Pasadena Water and Power won approval for phased electric rate increases totaling roughly 22% compounded by March 2027 — the first comprehensive increase since 2016 — to fund grid upgrades and rising costs. The council committed to revisit whether the third phase is needed, and low-income customers get expanded bill assistance.
511 S. Oak Knoll multifamily project appeal
Neighbors appealed the Design Commission's approval of a 46-unit, four-story apartment building, citing lit exterior corridors, a protected canyon live oak, noise from an adjacent substation, and neighborhood character. The council denied the appeal but added a condition pushing the developer to study relocating or opening the corridors.
All Saints Church safe parking application
The council finally decided a months-long fight over letting up to 25 people sleep overnight in their cars at All Saints Church's parking lot. Neighbors say the area already has too many homeless services and too much crime; supporters say safe parking is proven, humane, and helps people get back into housing.
LA County half-cent sales tax measure (AB 1768)
The council declined to take a position on the county's proposed half-cent sales tax, instead directing staff to study it. Councilmember Madison estimated Pasadena would send $22 million a year to the county but get back only a fraction, while Councilmember Jones noted 27,000 Medi-Cal residents could lose care without gap funding.