Pasadena · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Pasadena public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
PUSD employee housing project design review
PUSD wants to build 110 below-market apartments for school employees at the old Roosevelt Elementary site, and the city is reviewing the design and a traffic study after neighbors raised concerns about congestion near Pasadena and Orange Grove. It’s a test of whether teacher housing can move forward without worsening local traffic.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Electric revenue refunding bonds
The council finalized an update to the city's electric utility rate ordinance on second reading.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Arboleda Drive and Mesita Road Landmark Districts
Public hearings were set for August 17 on designating two new landmark districts with matching overlay zoning.
Tax Opposition and City Hall Reform
A former Pasadena official is pushing back on new taxes, arguing the city should clean up City Hall first. It’s a key counterpoint to watch if you’re following tax measures.
Health Department Reorganization
Pasadena is reorganizing its city-run health department into four divisions. Since it’s one of only three city-run health departments in California, the shake-up could change how local health programs are delivered. If you use city health services, pay attention to how the new structure rolls out.
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.
North Lake Specific Plan implementation
A zoning ordinance to implement the 2025 North Lake Specific Plan and redraw its boundaries was held after Vice Mayor Rivas disclosed a possible conflict of interest. It will come back once the conflict question is resolved.
Vacancy tax and affordable housing funding
Advocates urged the council to expedite study of a vacancy tax like Oakland's, which raised $4.7 million in its first year, to fund affordable housing and homelessness prevention as federal dollars dry up.
North Lake Avenue event venue dispute
A resident reported that a banquet hall at 1453 North Lake has operated unpermitted for five years, citing traffic accidents and safety fears, and said police directed her to raise it with the council.
Street racing and noise near Colorado Boulevard gas station
Residents reported nightly racing and loitering at a Colorado Boulevard gas station from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., with up to 50 cars blocking lanes. Council members directed police to pursue enforcement, including camera footage and possible criminal charges.
Police complaint form transparency
A resident who trains people on their rights said the police complaint portal now effectively blocks anonymous complaints by requiring identifying information. Hampton asked the chief to look at restoring the old configuration.
Credit Card Convenience Fee
The new fee schedule adds a 2.75% surcharge on most card payments. Cole objected as nickel-and-diming; the council adopted it but will revisit e-check alternatives at Finance Committee.
Gun violence awareness
The council recognized Gun Violence Awareness Day (June 5) and Wear Orange Weekend, heard from Pastor Kerwin Manning and police on firearm seizures and free gun locks.
Hydrogen Bus Fleet Transition
The council approved another $316,800 toward the hydrogen fueling station despite Councilmember Cole's argument that green hydrogen is failing worldwide and the city should pivot to battery electric buses. Staff said canceling now would put roughly $18 million in grants at risk.
Hydrogen fueling station project
The city is locked into hydrogen buses, and the council approved another $316,800 to keep the fueling station moving. Councilmember Cole argued green hydrogen has failed worldwide and the city should cut losses now; the majority said canceling would forfeit roughly $18 million in grants.
TEFRA Bond Financing for Affordable Housing
The council approved tax-exempt bond financing vehicles for two affordable housing projects — up to $60 million for 600 North Rosemead and up to $220 million for Colorado Crest — with no city repayment obligation.
Villa Park Community Center renovation
Mayor Gordo pushed staff to plan a real renovation of the Villa Park Community Center — the city's most-used — which hasn't seen major investment since the 1990s. Staff agreed to bring a plan forward, possibly in the next CIP cycle.
City Manager Hiring
Pasadena's next City Manager might be an insider! An employee is pushing for promoting from within, saying it'll keep morale high and provide stability when things are shaky.
EV charger maintenance and expansion
The city signed a nearly $2.9 million, six-year contract to keep its public EV chargers working, and will use Design-Build to speed up two big charging depot projects. Councilmember Hampton championed the buildout for residents and businesses that depend on chargers.
Small Business Support
Pasadena is launching its first Small Business Week to give local entrepreneurs a boost. Expect workshops on landing city contracts, improving online marketing, and networking with established business owners.
Minimum Wage Increase
Pasadena’s minimum wage is set to rise to $18.57 an hour on July 1, 2026. That means bigger paychecks for some workers and higher payroll costs for local employers.
Police Fleet Electrification
IBEW speaker Kevin Norton flagged that early EV charger vendors went bankrupt, leaving half the city's chargers broken, and argued heavy electric fleet vehicles cost twice as much with half the performance. Staff said 32 of 45 fast chargers will be fully operational within two weeks.
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.
Rental Housing Board vacancy and appointments
The council filled one of four Rental Housing Board vacancies, appointing mediator and former planning commissioner David Coer to the at-large seat. Board members testified the board lacks legal expertise and faces heavy quasi-judicial workloads; three vacancies remain.
Free Compost Giveaway
Pasadena is giving away free compost to residents. It's a great way to boost your garden's health and get some free supplies from the city.
Objective design standards for high-density housing
The council took the first reading of an ordinance creating objective design standards for high-density housing and modifying design review — a reform Councilmember Cole has pushed since 2022, aimed at making housing approvals faster and more predictable while protecting neighborhood character.
Light and Power Rate Ordinance Amendment
The council finalized an update to the city's electric utility rate ordinance on second reading.
Anti-discrimination protections
The council adopted a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy covering housing and public accommodations, with a private right of action, and will explore treating patterned discrimination as a public nuisance.
Anti-discrimination ordinance with private right of action
The council took the first reading of an ordinance adding an anti-discrimination statement and a private right of action; commenters urged adding family and relationship structure as a protected category, citing similar laws in West Hollywood, Portland, Berkeley, and Oakland.
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.
Public Safety Technology
South Pasadena is taking down its Flock Safety cameras, and residents are wondering if this means less safety or more privacy. The city council decided to pull the plug, leaving folks to debate the trade-offs.
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.