A Black Legacy District for North Fair Oaks, and drones for SWAT only

The committee approved the minutes of its August 18 meeting, which was cancelled, and its August 27 special meeting. at 00:00:32

• A motion to approve the minutes was made and seconded. Result: passed, unanimous. at 00:00:44

The city's local hire consultant, a consultant to the economic development department, reported on the First Source local hiring program from January 2020 through August 2026. On the 10 construction projects it tracks, there were 5,127 worker placements, which the report says aren't unique workers, and about $64 million in payroll and benefits; Pasadena residents held 288 of the placements (5.6%) but 13% of the hours and about $6.7 million (10%) of the pay. City-funded projects must hire 15% of their workers from Pasadena, and private projects over $50,000 can join voluntarily for a construction tax rebate. It's the city's main tool for steering construction jobs to residents. at 00:00:45

• The city's local hire consultant said Pasadena residents held 288 placements, 5.6% of all workers on the tracked projects, and that their share of hours and pay is higher than their share of workers at 00:07:47
• The city's local hire consultant recommended engaging contractors earlier, so local workers are lined up before a project starts and hiring becomes urgent at 00:15:22
• City staff asked how the local hiring numbers compare with the total pool of jobs at 00:19:38
• The city's local hire consultant said other projects likely hire locally too but aren't documented because they aren't in the First Source program at 00:20:28
• A committee member asked how large Pasadena's available construction workforce is at 00:24:02
• The city's local hire consultant said any high school graduate can enter the trades through an apprenticeship, with no prior skills needed at 00:24:12
• The committee chair asked why the Central Library retrofit wasn't a mandatory local-hire project at 00:26:40
• City staff said the library contract carries a voluntary local-hire goal, written with outside counsel, that the contractor plans to exceed, and guessed its parcel-tax bond funding kept the goal from being mandatory at 00:29:59
• The committee chair said upcoming city-funded projects, such as a fire station if a parcel tax passes and the transit operations center, should require local hiring, or at least reward it at 00:27:38
• The committee chair asked why ZIP code 91104 isn't among the county's targeted low-income ZIP codes, which include 91101 and 91103 at 00:32:58
• The city's local hire consultant said the county chose the targeted ZIP codes and offered to check whether the list has been updated at 00:33:01

City staff, from economic development, gave a quarterly update. Hotel revenue fell in the first quarter compared with early 2025, when the fires filled local hotels, but by August it was only 1% behind last year. New openings include a bank branch, a matcha shop in Old Pasadena, and an e-bike shop; a survey of more than 400 businesses for a commercial district study will come to the committee; and Pasadena will host events during LA Tech Week, October 12 to 18. at 00:38:28

• City staff said hotel revenue dropped in the first quarter compared with a year earlier, when the fires drove up occupancy, but by August was only 1% behind 2025 at 00:39:27
• City staff said a survey of more than 400 businesses for the commercial district needs assessment will come to the committee at 00:40:41
• City staff announced LA Tech Week, October 12 to 18, with events in Pasadena at 00:42:53

A committee member asked the committee to take up easing the city's film permit rules soon, saying staffing requirements at the convention center and neighbors' signature demands drive productions away while California is trying to keep filming in the state. The chair said it should be on an agenda before the end of the year. at 00:47:52

• A committee member said Pasadena is a famously difficult, expensive, and over-regulated place to film, and asked to look at easing the rules at 00:48:09
• A committee member said neighbors can charge $5,000 to $10,000 for a signature, which makes some filming impossible at 00:49:04
• The committee chair said the topic should be on an agenda before the end of the year at 00:49:26
• A committee member supported the request, calling it long overdue at 00:52:54

• No members of the public spoke.

• Easing film permit rules is expected on a committee agenda before the end of the year.
• The commercial district needs assessment, based on a survey of more than 400 businesses, will come to the committee.
• The local hire consultant will check whether ZIP code 91104 should be among the targeted ZIP codes.
• Economic development staff will report back on why the Central Library project couldn't require local hiring.
• LA Tech Week runs October 12 to 18, with events in Pasadena.

The committee is rewriting the rules for how council meetings run and how members conduct themselves, to recommend to the full council. The chair has not finished the written draft and promised it for the October 5 meeting. Suggested changes so far: list public comment at two minutes instead of three, since speakers are often cut to two, and correct the meeting start times. at 00:00:40

• A committee member suggested the written procedures give public commenters two minutes instead of three, so people know how much time they'll actually get at 00:02:04
• City staff said the procedures list the wrong times; closed session is heard at 5 PM and the public meeting starts at 6 PM at 00:02:34
• The committee chair questioned whether the mayor announcing a new committee is consistent with the city charter, which vests the city's powers in the council at 00:06:30
• The committee chair asked for refresher training on Robert's Rules of Order and the Brown Act at 00:08:53

The committee will meet on the first Monday of each month at 5 PM, starting October 5. Because of the election and the holidays, it will hold a special meeting on November 16, cancel December 7, the night of the council's organizational meeting, and plan to meet January 4. at 00:09:25

• Jess Rivas (Councilmember, District 5; Vice Mayor) moved to hold regular meetings on the first Monday of each month at 5 PM; Gene Masuda (Councilmember, District 4) seconded. Result: passed, unanimous. at 00:16:12

• City staff noted that the first Monday in December is the council's organizational meeting, and that the November meeting would fall the day before the general election at 00:10:57

Since Pasadena began electing its mayor directly in 1999, the council has generally made the longest-serving member who hasn't yet been vice mayor the next vice mayor. That's a practice, not a written policy. The committee discussed writing it down; because the charter calls for an election every year, members agreed a policy can describe the practice but can't decide the outcome in advance. The clerk will draft language with the city attorney's office. at 00:16:45

• City staff said the practice has been to choose the longest-serving councilmember who hasn't yet been vice mayor at 00:18:16
• City staff said that under the 2024 charter amendment, the council now selects an acting mayor if the office is vacant, instead of the vice mayor stepping in at 00:20:34
• The committee chair said councilmembers whose seats aren't up can run for mayor without risking them, which seems inequitable, and floated requiring members to give up their seat to run at 00:25:30
• A committee member favored writing the practice into policy so the choice isn't a mystery until the night of the meeting at 00:35:33
• The committee chair said that because the charter requires an election, a policy can't settle the result in advance at 00:36:12

The city's federal advocate, the city's federal legislative advocate, reported that a stopgap measure funds the federal government at current levels through December 11; that the House passed a bill asking states to make data centers pay the full cost of the power and transmission they need; and that the administration has proposed changing how some immigrants are counted in the 2030 census, which could affect federal funding based on population. Comments on the census proposal are due October 13. at 00:41:05

• The city's federal legislative advocate said a stopgap measure funds the federal government at current levels through December 11, so there's no shutdown before then at 00:42:12
• The city's federal legislative advocate said the House-passed Ratepayer Protection Act asks states to make data centers pay for their power, but the federal government can't require it at 00:44:41
• The city's federal legislative advocate said proposed census changes could stop counting some immigrants, which would affect population-based federal funding, and that comments are due October 13 at 00:46:26
• The city's federal legislative advocate said the House data center bill wouldn't preempt state law and leaves the decision to state utility regulators at 00:48:32

The city's state advocate, the city's state legislative advocate, reported on the governor's final bill actions: a veto of AB 1383, which would have let local police and firefighters bargain for pensions as high as 3% at 55; a signed package of data center bills, including limits on permitting a data center before it files a water supply plan; and new wildfire recovery laws, including permanent mortgage forbearance protections after disasters. A resident asked the city to ban data centers; members said a possible local ordinance is already working its way through planning. at 00:49:18

• The city's state legislative advocate said the governor vetoed AB 1383, a costly bill on public safety pensions, and that it's expected back next year at 00:49:52
• The city's state legislative advocate said new state law bars cities from permitting a data center until it has submitted a water supply plan at 00:51:24
• The city's state legislative advocate said new wildfire laws double the mortgage forbearance window for LA fire survivors from 12 to 24 months at 00:52:44
• The city's state legislative advocate said nothing in state law stops the city from regulating data centers on energy or land use at 01:00:05
• A committee member said the Planning Commission held a study session on data centers in July, and supported some kind of ban or restriction at 01:02:34
• The committee chair asked staff for a report on the new federal and state laws and whether the city needs its own legislation at 01:04:30

The committee recommended that the council support Proposition 1, a state housing bond; oppose Proposition 43, which would make it harder to raise local taxes; oppose Proposition 39, which would require government-issued identification to vote; and support two local measures: Measure PFD, the city's parcel tax for fire and emergency services, and Pasadena City College's Measure UP bond. The positions depend on the city attorney's office confirming the city can take them. at 01:07:03

• Jess Rivas (Councilmember, District 5; Vice Mayor) moved to recommend that the council support Proposition 1, oppose Propositions 43 and 39, and support Measure PFD and PCC's Measure UP, subject to the city attorney's office confirming the city may take positions; Gene Masuda (Councilmember, District 4) seconded. Result: passed, unanimous. at 01:21:19

• City staff described Measure PFD as an annual parcel tax of 19 cents per square foot of improved property for 14 years, to fund fire and emergency response at 01:08:14
• City staff described PCC's Measure UP as $485 million in bonds that continues the current tax rate rather than raising it at 01:08:46
• A committee member proposed also opposing Proposition 39 and supporting Proposition 40, the tax on billionaires at 01:12:12
• The committee chair agreed to oppose Proposition 39, saying there's no evidence of voter fraud, but declined to support Proposition 40 at 01:16:15
• The committee chair said the council, which put Measure PFD on the ballot, should have decided who signs its ballot arguments at 01:23:34

A discussion of AT&T's copper landline service, raised in correspondence from a former mayor, was put over to the committee's next meeting. at 01:26:01

• The chair continued the item to the next meeting. Result: continued. at 01:27:08

Received and filed. at 01:27:10

• One resident spoke remotely on the state briefing: asked the city to ban data centers or adopt a moratorium, citing a proposed warehouse or data center in a high fire hazard area in the Eaton fire's path; asked for better communication about federal enforcement activity, a policy for governing the city's technology and AI, and more advocacy on insurance for residents in fire hazard zones.
• The same resident spoke on the ballot measures, asking the city to look for other ways to pay for infrastructure, such as grants and asset forfeiture funds, while supporting Measure PFD.

• The chair will bring written revisions to the council meeting procedures and standards of conduct to the October 5 meeting.
• Regular meetings move to the first Monday of each month at 5 PM, starting October 5; a special meeting is set for November 16, December 7 is cancelled, and January 4 is planned.
• The city clerk will work with the city attorney's office on vice mayor policy language, possibly for the next meeting.
• The city attorney's office will confirm the city can take positions on ballot measures before the recommendation goes to the council.
• Staff will report on federal and state data center legislation and whether local rules are needed.
• AT&T copper landline service is continued to the next meeting.
• The federal advocate visits in the first week of November.

The council proclaimed October 2026 as Walktober and Pedestrian Safety Month in Pasadena, and the American Heart Association presented the Pasadena Fire Department with its Mission: Lifeline EMS Gold award for heart attack and stroke care. at 00:01:24

• A councilmember asked the council to take up lowering speed limits in school zones from 25 to 15 miles per hour, as other cities have at 00:05:30
• A councilmember noted the fire department now carries blood for transfusions in the field, one of five cities that do, and credited the policy with saving two lives recently at 00:06:54
• City staff said a cardiac arrest patient in Pasadena is nearly two and a half times as likely to survive to discharge with good neurological function as anywhere else in LA County at 00:10:58

The council adjourned in memory of Dr. Mel Beach, a former Human Relations commissioner and school superintendent who ran an anti-poverty agency in the city and mentored many residents. at 00:13:19

• A speaker asked colleagues to adjourn in memory of Dr. Mel Beach, a former commissioner and superintendent at 00:13:26
• Rick Cole (Councilmember, District 2) remembered Dr. Beach as the head of an anti-poverty agency who touched many lives at 00:15:02

A councilmember reported from the League of California Cities convention, where a resolution seeking a constitutional amendment to restore local control over land use was rewritten into a working group that also focuses on affordable housing, and passed. A councilmember reported on a visit with two councilmembers and the city manager to Denver's Union Station, as a model for reconnecting the neighborhoods around the 710 stub. at 00:17:41

• Rick Cole (Councilmember, District 2) said the league's one resolution originally sought a constitutional amendment to restore local control over land use at 00:18:34
• Rick Cole (Councilmember, District 2) said a league committee stripped the constitutional amendment as impractical and adversarial and added an equal focus on affordable housing at 00:18:46
• A councilmember described a trip to Denver's Union Station as a model for redeveloping the 710 stub area at 00:20:40

Twenty-five people signed up to speak, so comments were limited to one minute. Members responded on three topics: staff are working to find food vendors a replacement for a commercial kitchen closing September 30; the Housing, Homelessness and Planning Committee will discuss the quality of affordable housing units at a special meeting in November; and members asked Parks and Recreation to keep the city's splash pad running during the heat. at 00:22:13

• A councilmember said staff have been working with the nonprofit that runs the closing kitchen and that a solution has to be found, even a church kitchen for now at 00:53:51
• City staff said the committee will take up the quality of affordable units at a special meeting in November at 00:55:45
• A councilmember asked Parks and Recreation to run the splash pad whenever it's over 82 degrees at 00:56:02

The council approved its consent calendar without objection, including a $2.5 million tractor-drawn aerial ladder truck for the fire department, a contract of up to $961,876 over seven years for hiring software, a five-year generator maintenance contract, and 4.71% raises for the police chief and deputy police chief. A labor agreement with the Laborers International Union of North America was voted on separately, with Victor Gordo (Mayor) recused, and also passed. at 00:57:37

• Gene Masuda (Councilmember, District 4) moved the consent calendar except item 5; it was seconded. Result: passed. at 00:59:09
• A motion to approve item 5, the memorandum of understanding with the Laborers International Union of North America, was made and seconded. Result: passed. Recused: Victor Gordo (Mayor). at 00:59:43

• A councilmember announced, as state law requires before the vote, raises of 4.71% for the police chief and the deputy police chief effective October 5 at 00:58:32

After a public hearing, the council approved the city's annual report to the federal housing department on how it spent Community Development Block Grant, Emergency Solutions Grant, and HOME funds in the 2025 program year. Members pressed for the money to show visible results on homelessness and asked about housing vouchers. at 01:00:07

• A motion to close the public hearing was made and seconded. Result: passed. at 01:04:37
• Tyron Hampton (Councilmember, District 1) moved approval of the report; a councilmember seconded. Result: passed. at 01:10:01

• Rick Cole (Councilmember, District 2) said the goal for federal housing dollars isn't just compliance but a visible impact on homelessness, and asked for more vouchers to get people off the streets at 01:06:00
• A councilmember asked that the council be told when the city runs out of housing vouchers at 01:06:48
• A speaker said no HOME, CDBG, or ESG money is currently available to help the closing commercial kitchen, and that the next allocation comes around July 1 at 01:08:27
• A speaker asked for vouchers set aside for survivors of domestic violence at 01:09:23

State law requires an annual report on the police department's military-style equipment. The council approved the report, renewed the existing equipment, and authorized the SWAT team to use energy-assisted breaching tools, and asked police to report back on training for large demonstrations. A new drone policy was split off: after a long debate over plans to test drones as first responders, the council approved it 7 to 1 for SWAT use only, with any testing of new drone systems done outside the city and more review before anything is bought. at 01:10:05

• A councilmember moved to accept the report with thanks, approving recommendations 1 through 3, 5, and 6, and to ask the police department to report back to the police oversight commission and the Public Safety Committee on its operational training for this equipment; it was seconded. Result: passed. at 01:29:37
• A councilmember moved to approve recommendation 4, the drone policy, as written. Result: failed. at 02:10:33
• Jason Lyon (Councilmember, District 7) moved to approve recommendation 4, the drone policy, for SWAT operations only, with any testing done off-site and outside the city and further review through the police oversight commission; Tyron Hampton (Councilmember, District 1) seconded. Result: passed, 7-1. No: a councilmember. at 02:14:37

• Jess Rivas (Councilmember, District 5; Vice Mayor) said the Public Safety Committee recommended approval, but declined to support expanding drone use beyond SWAT at 01:11:30
• A councilmember asked the police department to report back on how officers are trained to use this equipment at large or volatile demonstrations at 01:23:15
• Jess Rivas (Councilmember, District 5; Vice Mayor) said there's no evidence yet that drones as first responders improve crime clearance, reduce force, or save money, and declined to support setting the city on that path at 01:38:24
• A councilmember warned about drone vendors, saying a company like Flock could come to know everything about everybody at 01:42:50
• City staff said the policy would guide one-day trials of systems from Flock, Brinc, and Skydio, with results and costs coming back to the council in January before any purchase at 01:58:17
• A councilmember objected to borrowing drones and using them in the community before the council decides, calling it putting the cart before the horse at 02:00:37
• City staff said approving the policy lets the SWAT team use drones for limited tactical situations while testing waits at 02:09:23
• A councilmember proposed approving the policy for SWAT use only, with any testing done off-site and outside the city at 02:09:41

The council adopted the Fair Oaks Orange Grove Specific Plan, which sets what can be built, and how, around North Fair Oaks Avenue and Orange Grove Boulevard, and named the stretch of North Fair Oaks from Washington Boulevard to the city's northern edge the Black Legacy District. Among the Planning Commission changes it includes, the allowed density at the southeast corner of Fair Oaks Avenue and Washington Boulevard rises from 32 to 48 homes per acre (agenda). The motion adds work to find money for banners, decorative crosswalks, and utility box wraps; sends proposed street medians back for transportation review; moves a placemaking program and a business improvement district up to the near term; and asks staff to look into waiving permit fees for small-scale industrial businesses in the plan area. Victor Gordo (Mayor) recused, citing a home near the plan area, and the vote was 7 to 0. at 02:15:17

• A motion to close the public hearing was made and seconded. Result: passed. at 03:20:04
• Tyron Hampton (Councilmember, District 1) moved the staff recommendation, including the Planning Commission's recommendations and the Black Legacy District, with directions to find funding for banners, decorative crosswalks, and utility box wraps, to refer street medians for transportation review, and to work with the North Fair Oaks Empowerment Group; Justin Jones (Councilmember, District 3) seconded. Friendly amendments from a councilmember moved the placemaking action and a business improvement district to the near term and asked staff to look into waiving minor conditional use permit fees in the plan area. Result: passed, 7-0. Recused: Victor Gordo (Mayor). at 03:58:18

• A councilmember said a home they own sits close to the plan area and recused out of caution at 02:15:26
• The city clerk reported letters received: six asking to name the area the Black Legacy District, five in support, two opposed or concerned, and 16 about license plate cameras in the corridor at 02:16:34
• A councilmember asked about the split between the Planning Commission, which wanted small-scale industrial uses allowed by right throughout the plan area, and staff, who wanted a minor permit where homes are allowed at 02:17:53
• City staff said a minor conditional use permit goes to a hearing officer, with a smaller notice radius and a much lower fee than a full permit at 02:19:47
• A councilmember moved the staff recommendation with work to fund banners, decorative crosswalks, and utility box wraps, and asked that medians get another look in transportation review at 03:20:09
• A speaker said the new enhanced infrastructure financing district can help pay for infrastructure and improvements in the plan area at 03:23:11
• Rick Cole (Councilmember, District 2) said the plan's implementation steps are mostly words like explore and evaluate, and wanted someone clearly in charge of carrying it out at 03:30:39
• Rick Cole (Councilmember, District 2) said a minor conditional use permit costs about $3,000 and takes three or four months, which can sink a small business at 03:34:07
• City staff said planning is separately studying making these permits an administrative process, which would cut the fee citywide at 03:36:10
• A councilmember supported the plan but cautioned against budget commitments that weren't on the agenda, noting the infrastructure district has no money yet at 03:48:15
• A councilmember urged keeping room for small craft and industrial businesses in all of the city's planning decisions at 03:55:22

• Non-agenda public comment drew 25 speaker cards, limited to one minute each.
• About five speakers, several for stakeholders of the Pasadena Equestrian Center, supported the city's decision to end Rose Bowl Riders' lease there, raised questions about the club's transfer of assets to a new organization, and asked that the center serve many kinds of riders.
• About seven speakers, food vendors and leaders of two nonprofits, said the licensed commercial kitchen the vendors depend on closes September 30, and asked for a temporary or permanent kitchen, faster permits, and help with rent.
• Three homeowners at Summit Grove, an affordable condominium building, described water intrusion and mold and asked the city for repair funding, construction oversight, and an independent task force; a fourth spoke at the item 11 hearing.
• A Caltrans tenant asked the council to keep supporting AB 2329.
• Other speakers raised concerns about license plate camera data, asked for longer splash pad hours in the heat, and asked for help filing police reports.
• On item 13, one speaker in the chamber and one online opposed expanding drone use and energy-assisted breaching; the clerk reported four letters opposed, plus 18 letters at the Public Safety Committee.
• On item 12, 24 speakers, nearly all supporting the plan and the Black Legacy District name, described North Fair Oaks as a once-thriving center of Black-owned businesses, churches, and community life, worn down by redlining, urban renewal, and freeway construction. They asked for decorative crosswalks, banners, murals, street medians, business incentives, and money for history projects; several pointed to the concentration of license plate cameras in the corridor; a local cabinet maker worried the new zoning could eventually push the business out.

• Police will report to the police oversight commission and the Public Safety Committee on operational training for military equipment.
• Drone systems: any testing happens outside the city; police plan to return in January with results and costs before any purchase.
• Staff will look into waiving minor conditional use permit fees in the Fair Oaks Orange Grove plan area and report back through committee.
• Proposed street medians on North Fair Oaks go back for transportation review.
• The Housing, Homelessness and Planning Committee will discuss the quality of affordable housing units at a special meeting in November.
• A councilmember asked to agendize lowering school-zone speed limits from 25 to 15 miles per hour.
• The city's next federal housing allocation is expected around July 1.